A Canadian traveler who was in Havana during the national blackout on Monday, July 6, publicly thanked dozens of Cubans who kept him informed in real time about the collapse of the electrical system, stating that on the island, obtaining reliable information is often much more difficult than facing the power outage itself.
Mike Fisher, a content creator specializing in travel to Cuba with a large following on Facebook and YouTube, reported that he noticed the blackout around noon. Shortly after, he began receiving messages from various parts of the country confirming that the outage was affecting the entire island.
"I want to thank everyone who sent me information while I was in Havana. I noticed it at noon, and immediately people started messaging me, telling me there was a blackout across all of Cuba," he recounted in a video posted on Facebook.
For Fisher, those messages were much more than just an informative update.
"I really appreciate it because when you are in Cuba, in Havana or anywhere else, you don't receive real information until hours later."
He explained that the alerts allowed him to make practical decisions throughout the day.
"It helped me organize my day. It helped me decide whether I should use the elevator or not."
He also emphasized that many Cubans consult their posts precisely because the comments often share updated information about what is happening on the island.
A long night before leaving Cuba
After the blackout, Fisher decided to head to José Martí International Airport early to avoid setbacks.
"I left early... just in case. Long night at the airport," he later wrote from Panama, where he had a layover before continuing his journey to Toronto.
The content creator had to return to Canada through Tocumen International Airport because the major Canadian airlines have suspended their flights to Cuba since February of this year due to the aviation fuel shortage, forcing many travelers to use alternative routes.
Once off the island, Fisher described the situation he encountered during his stay.
"Cuba is not doing well. Havana is suffering greatly, facing daily issues with electricity and water."
He also expressed his solidarity with the Cubans.
"My heart is with the citizens of Cuba. They are fighting like I have never seen before. They need help, support, fuel, and hope."
His words carry a special significance because he is not an occasional visitor. Fisher has been traveling to Cuba regularly since 1985 and claims that the current crisis is the most serious he has witnessed in more than four decades of visiting the island.
The blackout that occurred corresponds to the seventh total collapse of the National Electric System in the last 18 months and the third recorded in 2026, a crisis that also severely affected telecommunications and hindered the population's access to timely information.
Before boarding his return flight, Fisher summed up his feelings in a brief statement posted from Panama: "I just landed... and I already miss Cuba."
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