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Cuban Father Challenges Díaz-Canel and Marrero Amid Power Outage: "Where Do You Cook?"

Thursday, March 19, 2026 by Christopher Ramirez

Cuban Father Challenges Díaz-Canel and Marrero Amid Power Outage: "Where Do You Cook?"
Cuban Family - Image © Facebook Post

Amid the ongoing power outages plaguing Cuba, a Cuban father, forced to cook with charcoal on a rooftop to feed his child, has openly criticized the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero. His passionate remarks highlight the growing frustration among citizens faced with these extended blackouts.

Shared on Facebook by Yoel Parsons Bones, the post includes images depicting a family cooking with wood on a rooftop—an increasingly familiar scene across Cuba as residents grapple with the lack of electricity.

The user sharply questions, "Where do you cook, Mr. Canel, and you, Mr. Marrero?" juxtaposing the harsh realities faced by ordinary Cubans against the comforts presumably enjoyed by the country's leadership.

This father voiced his concerns, pointing out that while the government urges endurance in the face of crisis, the conditions endured by the populace starkly contrast with those of the ruling class, pushing numerous families to find makeshift solutions to feed themselves.

On Tuesday night, the same family uploaded a video illustrating their rooftop cooking with wood to ensure their young child could eat. Through his post, the Cuban also vehemently rejected the official rhetoric, asserting that the government no longer enjoys public support.

"They don't have the people," he declared, condemning the use of repressive forces against demonstrators and the lack of avenues for expressing dissent.

This complaint joins a chorus of other accounts circulating on social media recently, showcasing families resorting to charcoal or wood cooking due to the prolonged power outages.

These scenes vividly illustrate the severe impact of the energy crisis, which disrupts the daily lives of millions of Cubans, complicating food storage and meal preparation.

Understanding the Cuban Energy Crisis

What is causing the power outages in Cuba?

The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to the country's aging infrastructure and lack of investment in energy resources, exacerbated by economic difficulties and sanctions.

How are Cuban families coping with the lack of electricity?

Many Cuban families are resorting to cooking with charcoal or wood on rooftops, as electric stoves and refrigerators become unreliable due to frequent power cuts.

What is the government's response to the energy crisis?

The Cuban government has called for resilience and patience from its citizens, but many criticize this stance, citing a disconnect between government officials and the everyday struggles of the populace.

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