A Cuban who publishes under the name Azucar Cuba summarized in just 19 seconds the frustration of millions of people on the island: "I need you to tell me how many more bags of coal I have to buy. I can't take it anymore. There you have it."
The video, posted on Facebook, sparked a wave of responses from Cubans both on and off the island who completely identify with the situation, amidst the worst electrical crisis in the country's recent history.
Comments range from dark humor to resignation and despair. Toma Isaac succinctly wrote: "I’m at 40," referring to the bags of coal he has already had to purchase.
Sandra Claver was more graphic: "With what I've bought, I could have built a house." Linda Floresita added: "I would already be a millionaire if I had saved that money."
Marian Montero Sánchez reported from Baracoa that the price of a sack of charcoal in the informal market is 1,700 pesos, an amount that in other provinces can reach up to 5,000 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to the total monthly salary of a state worker.
Annier Quintero Rivero summarized the paradox with a phrase that encapsulates scarcity: "And if you have coal, you are fortunate, my friend."
Gilberto Valbuena warned about what may come: "Coal is a luxury, then it will be with firewood if available, but there is still the alternative from Díaz-Canel, to use biomass."
Lazara Beatriz García Abraham was decisive: "Infinite, that's here to stay." Lidia Falcón agreed: "Girl, this is the never-ending story."
José Manuel Ricardo did not hide his frustration towards the regime: "Ask your president and keep enduring pressure in the meantime."
The video emerges at a critical moment for the Cuban electrical system. This Tuesday, the available electricity was only 1,180 MW compared to a peak demand of 2,850 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,670 MW.
So far in April, the generation deficit has exceeded 1,900 MW during peak hours, with blackouts affecting up to 55% of the national territory simultaneously, and outages in many areas lasting between twenty and 24 hours daily.
In March, there were three total collapses of the National Electrical System: on the 4th, 16th, and 22nd, with the longest lasting 29 hours.
The interruption of Venezuelan crude oil supply since December 2025 is one of the main causes of the collapse. A Russian ship arrived on March 31 with 730,000 barrels of crude oil, the first shipment in three months, but insufficient to reverse the crisis.
Approximately nine million Cubans cook under precarious conditions, relying on charcoal, firewood, or sawdust.
Miguel Díaz-Canel himself acknowledged the situation in March by asking to "ensure materials to cook, from charcoal to firewood", admitting the state's inability to provide gas or electricity.
Georgina Portuondo Aties said it bluntly in the video comments: "No one can take it anymore."
Filed under: