A Cuban mother identified as Aly Noriega described how her family survives on barely three hours of electricity a day, during which she has to wash, cook, charge the phone, and help her children with their schoolwork.
Her video on Instagram was a direct response to criticisms Noriega received in a previous post, where some users told her that "in the old days, people lived without electricity, and that I should tough it out," while others called her "irresponsible for having children" under those conditions.
"I live in Cuba, and we have three hours of electricity to do everything. Just three hours to wash, cook, charge the phone, and get our tasks done. Three hours to accomplish in a day what the rest of the world does with plenty of time to spare. That's how we've been for days, weeks, months," Noriega said in the video.
Far from accepting the label of irresponsible, the Cuban mother firmly rejected it: “Irresponsible, for loving my children in the midst of all this, for not giving up, for continuing to find ways to feed them, to embrace them, to help them get ahead with what we have?”
Noriega also made clear the meaning of what he does every day. "This is not complaining; this is surviving and doing it every day with dignity, with love, with what little we have."
The audience's reaction was mostly supportive. The most valued comment urged against criticism and called for encouraging the Cubans who are on the island suffering from an unprecedented crisis for years.
"Seriously, spare us the unpleasant comments. She already has enough to deal with in her daily life without adding negativity. Bless her with a kind word, let's offer support, and those who can, please donate and send help to the people of Cuba."
Other users also came to Noriega's defense. "Frustrated people love to criticize, don't pay attention," wrote another follower. "You are brave, and those who criticize you should put themselves in your shoes," added another.
The video of Noriega is set against the backdrop of the most severe electrical crisis Cuba has ever experienced. The pattern it describes is not isolated. Many Cuban mothers wake up early to wash and cook when the power returns. This has become a recurring image on social media during 2025 and 2026.
The Energy Minister publicly acknowledged the citizens' discontent regarding the severity of the power outages, while the government admitted that the country went four consecutive months without receiving fuel from abroad.
Noriega ended her video with a message of solidarity toward other women in the same situation.
"I know I am not alone, because there are many mothers here who wake up every day and do exactly the same as I do, with the same fatigue, with the same love, and with the same desire to give their children the best."
Filed under: