Residents of Reparto Zamora in Marianao, Havana, are captured in a Facebook video struggling to chop wood with a dull axe to fuel makeshift stoves. This dire scenario arises from the complete absence of domestic gas and prolonged power outages stretching for hours.
Mayker Jiménez Pelegrín shared the video, encapsulating in 42 seconds the arduous task of cooking in Cuba amidst one of the island's most severe energy crises in decades.
"There's no more pacabón here; we have to cook with whatever we can find," narrates Jiménez as he films his neighbors laboring. "The axe doesn't cut, but we manage by sheer force," he adds, highlighting the physical toll of what should be a simple daily chore. The scene ends with a sentiment of collective exhaustion: "We're at a loss, folks; there's little left to do."
Widespread Energy Shortages
Zamora's plight is far from unique. The neighborhood witnessed protests on June 8 after enduring six consecutive days of 21-hour daily blackouts and a lack of running water.
The National Electric System struggles with a generation shortfall of 2,015 to 2,040 megawatts against a peak demand of 3,050 MW, causing power cuts lasting 12 to 22 hours daily in many parts of the country.
Adding to the woes is the near disappearance of liquefied gas from the formal market. On the black market, a small gas cylinder can cost up to $50, a price unattainable for most Cubans.
In January 2026, the government indefinitely halted gas distribution in the eastern part of the country due to supply shortages. Although sales in Havana briefly resumed in May with around 15,000 cylinders daily, it proved insufficient to meet the demand.
A Return to Primitive Cooking Methods
More than 9 million Cubans are forced to cook without reliable access to gas or electricity, resorting to wood stoves, charcoal, dry almond leaves, or repurposed empty fire extinguishers.
Even Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the need to ensure cooking materials "from charcoal to wood" in March 2026, effectively normalizing a historical regression the regime had vowed to overcome.
The air Cubans breathe is further tainted by the smoke from these ad-hoc stoves. The failure of garbage collection services—due to a shortage of fuel for communal service trucks—has led to waste fires in streets and neighborhoods nationwide.
Trash fires blaze in Holguín, the "El Bote" landfill in Havana emits toxic smoke regularly, and in Santos Suárez, residents set piles of trash alight during protests over 22-hour blackouts on June 19.
The burning of wood, charcoal, and plastics in urban areas releases toxic particles that heighten the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues, particularly affecting children and the elderly.
Jiménez Pelegrín's video description starkly presents the reality: "The situation forces everyone to breathe polluted air."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to a significant deficit in electricity generation, with a shortfall of 2,015 to 2,040 megawatts compared to the peak demand of 3,050 MW. This has resulted in prolonged power outages across the country.
How are Cubans coping with the lack of gas and electricity?
Many Cubans are resorting to using wood stoves, charcoal, dry almond leaves, or repurposed empty fire extinguishers for cooking due to the unavailability of gas and electricity.
What health risks are associated with the current situation?
The burning of wood, charcoal, and plastics releases toxic particles that can increase the risk of chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.