A young Cuban identified on Instagram as @laurenlotti_ posted a reel documenting 80 consecutive hours without electricity in her home in Cuba, with the water tank almost empty and relying on two solar panels to sleep with a fan.
The video, recorded in response to a comment questioning the complaints of Cubans, became a raw testament to the crisis facing the island.
"Look, the Cubans complain and like to make others feel sorry for them," commented a user on one of her posts, and the young woman chose to respond by showing what her daily life is like.
"The electrical system in Cuba has collapsed again. It has been 80 hours without electricity, and the water situation is getting tougher every day. I don't know how we are going to take a shower today," says the young woman in front of the camera before inviting her followers: "Come to Cuba. Spend a day here. And then tell me about it."
In the midst of hardship, the young woman's grandmother made tacos following a recipe that followers had left in the comments. "It's the first time we've tried them and they turned out delicious," celebrated @laurenlotti_ in a moment of humanity that contrasts with the gravity of the situation.
The family also went out to provide assistance to two neighbors in the neighborhood, with the support of a friend named Cristina. Upon returning, the priority was to carefully manage the available energy: "Now we need to save as much energy as possible from our two solar panels so we can sleep with the fan on."
The video was recorded during the total blackout that Cuba experienced on July 6, which left millions of people without electricity. The water crisis is a direct consequence of the electrical crisis: over 80% of the country's aqueducts depend on electricity to pump water, so each blackout automatically cuts off the supply.
The solar panels mentioned by @laurenlotti_ represent a privilege that few Cubans can access: a system can cost over $1,000 in the informal market, equivalent to more than two years of the average salary on the island. Most of the population survives with candles, stored water, and cooking with charcoal or firewood.
The reel concluded with a statement that resonated with its followers: "I dream of the day when Cubans can have a dignified life. I also dream of seeing a free and happy Cuba."
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