In a stark reflection of the growing discontent in Cuba, Susana Ortega recorded a video from her darkened home during a power outage and shared it on Facebook. The video quickly resonated, garnering over 26,000 views in just a few hours, and becoming yet another emblem of the widespread frustration over the ongoing energy crisis impacting daily life across the nation.
Ortega’s video, slightly over a minute in length, captures her speaking directly to the camera, her voice a blend of desperation and simmering anger.
“Good morning. I have one question: how can people sleep soundly while an entire island is plunged into darkness—not just lacking light, but stripped of dignity, feeling, and soul?” she questions at the outset.
She stresses the gravity of the situation: “What’s happening in this country is outrageous.”
Ortega then turns her appeal to global leaders: “Where are those just leaders who claim they will fix the world and seek peace? Do you believe this is peace?”
The video concludes with a statement capturing the exasperation felt by millions: “Living in darkness, waking in darkness, thinking in darkness—it’s driving us crazy. How much longer?” It ends with a cry: “Freedom for the Cuban people.”
Deepening Energy Crisis in Cuba
Ortega's account is not an isolated incident. In June, Cuba is facing its most severe energy crisis in recent memory, with deficits exceeding 2,100 MW on numerous days, while the available power ranges only from 950 to 1,090 MW, against a demand surpassing 3,000 MW.
In Havana, blackouts have persisted for over 24 hours, and conditions are even worse in other provinces, where some areas experience just one or two hours of electricity daily, coupled with water supply cycles stretching up to 40 days.
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the largest in the country, experienced its 15th malfunction of the year on June 15, driving the nocturnal power deficit to 2,085 MW.
Mental Health Crisis
The psychological toll is profound. A study published in May in Social Science & Medicine based on surveys of 415 Cuban adults found that 55.4% suffer from extremely severe depression, 66% from severe anxiety, and 65.8% from extreme stress.
Meanwhile, the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel has failed to present a convincing plan for resolution. The leader proclaimed that Cuba “is not a failed state,” even as Cubans protested with cacerolazos in Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba between June 17 and 19.
Ortega's video received 1,371 likes and 155 comments within hours, reflecting a range of reactions from solidarity to despair. Her closing query—“How much longer?”—has become the most echoed phrase among Cubans on social media, as they face a crisis the regime has been unable—or unwilling—to resolve.
Understanding Cuba’s Power Crisis: Key Questions Answered
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a significant deficit in electricity production. The demand far exceeds the available supply, largely due to outdated infrastructure and frequent failures at major power plants like the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant.
How are Cubans reacting to the energy crisis?
Cubans are increasingly frustrated and have taken to social media and the streets to express their discontent. Protests have occurred in various cities, and many are calling for assistance and intervention from international leaders.
What impact is the energy crisis having on mental health in Cuba?
The energy crisis is severely affecting mental health, with studies showing high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the population. The lack of basic services and prolonged darkness contributes significantly to psychological distress.