At just 27 years old, Cuban artist Alexis Hugo Remón Fuentes took to Facebook to share a heartfelt message that captures the exhaustion felt by an entire generation. His post speaks of power outages lasting from 30 to 50 hours, an inability to envision a future, and the overwhelming frustration of having to "endure" without hope for change.
"I'm fed up. I don't know how long this apathy will last, talking about negotiations on one hand, approving measures on the other, pretending nothing's wrong," Remón Fuentes expressed. He finds himself torn between pursuing his artistic calling or working in a small business just to make ends meet.
With unreliable electricity, Remón Fuentes relies on the kindness of neighbors who lend him their solar panels to charge his equipment. "Thank goodness my neighbors didn't turn against me, because thanks to them, I can charge my few devices," he remarked with bitterness.
The uncertainty has taken a toll on his spirit. "I'm tired of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I can't even plan for the next month. Life is slipping away, I'm growing old not in years, but in soul," he lamented.
Craving a Dignified Life
His most poignant plea touches on basic needs: "I'm done trying to figure out who's right, whether it's those here or elsewhere. I just want to live, [...]. No more slogans, no more enduring." He added, "I want to sleep with a fan's breeze, have breakfast, eat hot meals; I'm not asking for much, just a dignified life, the one our Constitution once promised."
His words struck a chord with many Cubans. One user commented, "That's all young people want: to live with dignity, without shortages. I'm not talking about luxury, expensive trips, or big bank accounts; I mean the essentials, the basics." Another echoed, "Just like you, my youth is slipping away into nothingness." A third voice detailed her daily struggle: "I'm tired of waking up every day to light charcoal for cooking. I'm tired of working hard and still not having enough money. I'm tired of the simplest things being a luxury. I want to live like a human being too."
The Deepening Crisis in Cuba
Residing in Manzanillo, Granma, Remón Fuentes paints a picture of an unprecedented systemic crisis. Cuba is facing its worst energy crisis in modern history, with power shortages exceeding 2,100 MW, leaving over 60% of the population without electricity at the same time. This is worsened by the cut-off of Venezuelan oil supplies and the depletion of Russian crude reserves.
The economic despair compounds the darkness. The regime increased the minimum wage to 3,210 Cuban pesos as of July 1, equivalent to just $4.65 in the informal market, while it takes about 96,000 pesos a month to meet basic needs—around 30 times that minimum wage. According to the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, 89% of Cuban households live in extreme poverty.
This desperation has sparked mass protests and critical outcries: the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts reported 1,311 demonstrations in May 2026, marking the longest wave since July 11, 2021. For those who don't protest, the solution often lies in leaving the country: since 2021, over 1.7 million Cubans have fled, most of them young people aged 15 to 49.
Remón Fuentes concluded his post with a statement that encapsulates the sentiment of those who remain: "Meanwhile, this nation is dying, and no one is doing anything about it, not even us who are living through it."
Understanding Cuba's Current Challenges
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban youth?
Cuban youth face significant challenges including energy shortages, economic instability, lack of opportunities, and the pressure of an uncertain future.
How has the energy crisis affected daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis has led to prolonged power outages, affecting daily activities, limiting access to basic amenities, and increasing the overall frustration among the population.
What solutions are being sought by those unable to protest?
Those unable to protest often seek to leave the country, with over 1.7 million Cubans having emigrated since 2021, primarily young people looking for better prospects.