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A Cuban family shared their testimony about the structural crisis facing Cuba, marked by prolonged blackouts, food shortages, lack of fuel, and a sustained deterioration of living conditions.
In a recent report by NBC News , this reality is harshly revealed through direct testimonies from citizens on the island, confirming a situation that the independent Cuban press has been denouncing for decades.
"Beyond physical exhaustion, it is psychological exhaustion that overwhelms us (...) It is the uncertainty of not knowing when we will have power. Nothing can be planned," said a 33-year-old Cuban.
For millions of Cubans, basic tasks such as cooking, preserving food, or accessing water have become daily challenges in a context where uncertainty dominates everyday life.
Blackouts, which can last between two and 30 hours in some cities, force families to completely reorganize their routines.
Many Cubans cook in the early morning when the electricity returns or turn to charcoal due to the lack of gas and stable power. The inability to refrigerate food causes it to spoil quickly, exacerbating food insecurity.
This is compounded by the low purchasing power of workers, who barely manage to cover their essentials, while others rely on remittances from abroad to survive.
Even in the private sector, wages are insufficient against the high cost of basic goods, which in many cases are only available in dollars.
The crisis is also reflected in the collapse of public services. The accumulation of garbage in the streets, due to the lack of fuel for its collection, has created hotspots of unsanitary conditions and diseases.
Public transportation is limited and inefficient, making it even more difficult for the population to get around.
Social discontent is becoming evident with protests in various locations, despite government repression. Meanwhile, the Cuban regime has hinted at possible reforms, such as allowing investments from the diaspora, amidst discussions with the United States about the future of the island.
The fact that these stories reach international media is significant for highlighting the magnitude of the crisis. However, for independent Cuban media and civil society in the country, this is not news.
The human stories of what is experienced inside Cuba confirm a reality that has been documented and denounced for years. At CiberCuba, we have spent a decade revealing the gradual decline of a country where survival has become a daily act of resistance.
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