Amidst Cuba's ongoing energy crisis, while some people display acts of solidarity, others opt to take advantage of the turmoil, embodying the old saying, "when the river is turbulent, fishermen gain." One such individual, Yondy Chávez, has come under heavy criticism on social media for offering to charge cell phones at a rate of 200 pesos per hour in the Facebook group "Bazar Santiago de Cuba."
Chávez's post read, "Interested parties, please message privately. Available in Santiago, messenger service offered for an additional fee." In just a few hours, the post amassed over 400 comments, mostly condemning the young man's actions, as many believe that in the midst of the current energy crisis, solidarity should take precedence over personal gain.
Leico Maria Ramirez Ley expressed her disapproval by saying, "My God, even amid such misfortunes, some people are willing to charge others for help. If we don't support each other, who will? The government only brings us more misery, more hunger, more poverty, and now this."
Grechi Rivera added, "What shamelessness! Out of every disaster, out of every adversity, they build a business. How low can humanity sink, such a lack of empathy for others!"
Julio Cesar noted, "We need to help ourselves, don't be exploitative. If you must charge, at least keep it to 20 or 25 pesos, not 50 and above. Remember, we're alone in this world."
Katia Ramos shared her perspective, "It's sad to do that in a time like this. If the electricity shortage was permanent, it might seem normal, but in these conditions, I have more than 15 phones charging at my house and don't charge anyone a dime. Cubans need to show more empathy."
Broader Crisis Beyond Santiago
However, this situation isn't confined to Santiago de Cuba. In Havana, a video has gone viral showing how some residents are charging up to 200 Cuban pesos to power up a cell phone, highlighting the harsh reality facing citizens amid the fourth consecutive day of massive blackouts across Cuba.
The footage, shared on TikTok, underscores how prolonged power outages have forced affected individuals to seek alternative ways to keep their electronic devices charged.
Tragically, many see no end in sight. The Electric Company in Santiago de Cuba cautioned its customers on Monday that reconnecting high-consumption appliances could trigger another system failure once power is restored.
This warning was issued via Telegram, but it's unrealistic to expect compliance when thousands of families have been without electricity for over 72 hours, watching helplessly as their limited food supplies spoil in their refrigerators.