A recent social media post has brought to light a growing concern among Cubans: the inability to communicate during power outages, leaving individuals without the means to request assistance in emergencies.
The account was shared on Facebook by a resident of Palma Soriano in Santiago de Cuba. He described witnessing a road accident between Palma and Mella where bystanders couldn't contact emergency services due to a complete lack of signal.
"None of us had signal or network access, not even to make a simple call to emergency services," the user explained in their post, emphasizing that this issue has been recurring in the area for several days.
According to the account, those present had to provide aid themselves to the accident victims. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries, but the incident highlighted the community's vulnerability when communication systems fail.
"We had to take matters into our own hands, offering first aid and helping however we could," the resident added.
Impact on Critical Situations
The individual stressed that this problem affects not just daily life and work but could be life-threatening in critical situations where every second is vital. "Communication is an essential service, especially when it can make the difference in an emergency," they noted.
The post sparked numerous comments from people expressing concern over similar issues in Palma Soriano and other areas across the country. "A phone call can save lives," wrote one user, underlining the danger of being unable to contact ambulances or emergency services during an accident.
Another comment reflected the everyday fears many families face: "Imagine having an asthmatic or someone using a nebulizer at home and not being able to call anyone in a crisis."
Nationwide Communication Failures
Others pointed out that the issue isn't isolated to one locality. "Here, when the power goes out, we are left completely disconnected," mentioned one user, while another stated that this situation "is not just in Palma Soriano; it's happening all over the country."
Communication breakdowns during blackouts have become increasingly common in Cuba. When the power is out, many ETECSA telecom towers stop working due to a lack of backup power, resulting in loss of mobile coverage and even affecting landline calls.
In recent months, extended power cuts have worsened this problem, leaving entire communities without internet or the ability to make calls, sometimes for hours or nearly the entire day.
For many, the concern extends beyond the inconvenience of being offline. The primary worry is being unable to call for help during fires, traffic accidents, or medical emergencies.
"If a mass accident happens, how will anyone be notified?" asked one person in the comments, reflecting a shared anxiety among numerous users.
Meanwhile, the post continues to circulate on social media, serving as a stark reminder of a perilous problem that many Cubans see as increasingly dangerous: being cut off in a nation where blackouts and emergencies are part of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Communication Issues in Cuba
What causes the communication outages during blackouts in Cuba?
The outages are primarily due to many ETECSA telecom towers losing functionality during power cuts, as they lack backup energy sources to maintain services.
How do these outages impact emergency situations?
During outages, people cannot contact emergency services, which can be critical in situations like fires, accidents, or medical emergencies where timely help is essential.