A portable charger may seem like an everyday item, but in Cuba, where blackouts are common, it has become almost a necessity. For a Cuban with only 20% battery left on their phone and few chances to recharge 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 collaboration with @omam_castro. The recording features a conversation with a Cuban in the lower level of a residential building in Havana.
What started as a question from the interviewer about the neighborhood blocks quickly shifted to the Cuban's response regarding an issue that significantly affects the daily lives of Cubans: the lack of electricity.
"Hey, no, here the dog is a piece of junk," the man said to the interviewer, who seemed supposedly interested in a little house for his mom.
When the interviewer wanted to know how he managed to keep his phone working during the power outages, the response made it clear that he didn't have many alternatives either.
"Ah, what a disaster, my friend. Twenty is how much battery my phone has left," he said, referring to the percentage of battery remaining.
It was then that the young man took out a portable charger and made him an unexpected proposal.
"This is to charge the mobile. I'll give it to you if you give me a piece of life advice," he said.
"Hey, aren't you a police officer?"
Before accepting, the man asked a question that turned out to be another notable moment in the video. "Let me see, you're not a police officer," he asked cautiously.
After receiving the clarification, he accepted the exchange and responded with a simple reflection that resonated with thousands of users: "Live for yourself, think of yourself. When you are well, everyone around you will be well."
The video, published under the phrase "Here, Chucho is Really Tough," received 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 in the midst of the profound energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing. This Monday, the National Electric System (SEN) operated with only 1,120 MW of availability against a demand of 3,300 MW, a difference of 2,180 MW that foreshadowed another day marked by prolonged service outages, according to the Electric Union (UNE).
The situation has reached the point where keeping a mobile phone charged—essential for communicating with family, accessing information, or handling various tasks—can become a daily challenge.
Solidarity in the streets of Havana
Cuban Listillo, 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 the elderly, in scenes that once again highlighted the precariousness of pensions and the vulnerability of many retirees.
Previously, in February 2024, another of his videos showcased the assistance given to a street sweeper who needed money to buy medication for his sick mother.
This time, large sums of money were not needed. A phone with little battery, a portable charger, and a question were enough to capture, in just a few minutes, a glimpse of the everyday reality of an island where having electricity for a few hours can make a difference.
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