A portable charger may seem like an everyday object, but in Cuba, where blackouts are common, it has become almost a necessity. For a Cuban who had only about 20% battery left on their phone and few chances of recharging it, receiving one in exchange for sharing a life tip led to a moment that went viral on social media.
The scene was shared on Instagram by the account @listillo_cubano. In the video, a collaborator of the popular content creator chats with a neighbor while walking through a neighborhood in Havana.
What began as a question about the neighborhood blocks quickly turned into the issue that affects a significant part of the daily life of Cubans: the lack of electricity.
"Dad, no, there's a lot of trouble here," the man replied, using a popular expression to describe how difficult the situation was.
When the interviewer wanted to know how he managed to keep his phone working during power outages, his response made it clear that he didn't have many alternatives either.
"Ah, what a pickle, my friend. Twenty is what my phone has left," he said, referring to the battery percentage remaining.
It was then that the young man took out a portable charger and made an unexpected proposal.
"This is to charge the phone. I'll give it to you if you give me a piece of life advice," he said.
"You are not a police officer."
Before accepting, the man asked a question that ended up becoming another memorable moment in the video.
"Let’s see, you’re not a police officer," she asked cautiously.
After receiving the clarification, he accepted the exchange and responded with a simple reflection that ended up resonating with thousands of users.
"Live for yourself, think of yourself. When you are well, everyone around you will be well."
The video, published with the phrase "Here the Chucho is Tough," garnered over 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments on Instagram, where many users reacted to both the advice and the everyday situation depicted in the images.
The scene takes on a particular significance amidst the deep energy crisis facing Cuba. This Monday, the National Electric System (SEN) was operating with only 1,120 MW of availability against a demand of 3,300 MW, a shortfall of 2,180 MW that foreshadowed another day marked by prolonged service outages, according to the Electric Union (UNE).
The situation has reached a point where keeping a mobile phone charged—essential for communicating with family, accessing information, or managing various tasks—can turn into a daily challenge.
Solidarity in the streets of Havana
Listillo Cubano, the stage name of content creator Iván Valdés Permuy, has gained recognition for his social experiments and videos filmed on the streets of Havana, where seemingly simple situations ultimately reveal the economic and social challenges faced by many Cubans.
In August 2025, the creator traveled through the capital distributing money to elderly people, in scenes that once again highlighted the precariousness of pensions and the vulnerability of many retirees.
Previously, in February 2024, another one of his videos showcased the assistance given to a street cleaner who needed money to buy medication for his sick mother.
This time, large sums of money were not necessary. A phone with low battery, a portable charger, and a question were all it took to capture, in just a few minutes, a glimpse of the daily reality of an island where having electricity for a few hours can make all the difference.
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