Independent journalist and Cuban dissident Ernesto Almaguer Díaz, based in Holguín, shared a heartbreaking message on Facebook this Thursday. He highlighted the dire situation he faces in trying to care for his autistic son during an ongoing 45-hour power outage.
"Please, for the love of God, someone help me. I can't take it anymore," he pleaded on social media, a post that has moved many.
Almaguer Díaz explained in the comments that his 11-year-old son relies on a fan to sleep and only consumes guava smoothies, which he cannot prepare without electricity.
"It's been 45 hours of blackout, my autistic child needs his guava smoothie and a charged fan to sleep," he expressed.
The post sparked a wave of support online. A user named Leonardo Rafael commented, "This isn't just a request... it's a cry of despair. This is a father at his breaking point. If you can help, please do."
Community Support and Urgent Needs
Several activists have stepped forward, offering to help him acquire an EcoFlow device—a portable power station—that would keep his son's fan running through the night.
For families like Almaguer Díaz's, without access to foreign currency, acquiring such a device, costing $900, relies entirely on the generosity of the diaspora and support networks.
Ongoing Struggles for Basic Needs
This father's predicament is not new. Since 2021, he has publicly voiced concerns about the shortages affecting his son and other Cuban children. That year, he sought help obtaining the scarce medication Risperidone in Holguín.
In January 2022, he needed Diazepam for his son. By April 2023, he reported that Acopio Holguín had cut off his son's special diet of tubers, fruits, and vegetables, citing budget constraints.
Worsening Power Crisis
The electrical collapse in June 2026 exacerbated these ongoing vulnerabilities. Holguín's Electric Company admitted on June 2 that residents would receive only three hours of electricity daily, prioritizing the tourism sector. This Friday, the province had just 70 MW available against a demand of 225 MW.
The situation deteriorated further last Sunday when the Felton thermoelectric plant went offline, deepening the power deficit across eastern Cuba. Nationally, Cuba faced nearly a 2,000 MW deficit during peak hours on Wednesday, June 4, with a record 2,153 MW shortfall on May 13.
Cuban families with autistic members have sent open letters to Díaz-Canel, demanding special consideration amid the energy crisis, yet no response from the regime has been recorded.
Almaguer Díaz is also recognized for his reports on the crumbling healthcare system in Holguín. In remarks captured by the Cuban Institute of Freedom of Expression and Press, he summed up the dire situation: "Literally, if you don't have the 3,500 Cuban pesos, you die."
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Health Challenges
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are due to a combination of aging infrastructure, insufficient power generation capacity, and prioritization of electricity for the tourism sector, leaving less available for the general population.
How are families with special needs children coping during the crisis?
Families are struggling to meet the needs of their children, relying on community support and humanitarian aid to access essential resources like medication and power supplies.
What measures are activists taking to assist affected families?
Activists are mobilizing to provide resources such as portable power stations and are working to raise awareness and gather support from the international community.