Yenney Caballero, an animal rescuer based in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, suffered burns on her left hand while preparing liver with charcoal for her dogs amidst a power outage lasting more than 24 hours due to a transformer explosion.
Caballero shared her ordeal on Facebook, posting photos of her reddened hand submerged in a bowl of water.
"Cooking with charcoal, without proper conditions, rushing for everything. Over 24 hours without power because the transformer exploded for the third time," she wrote.
The boiling water from the liver spilled onto her when she was trying to care for her rescued animals.
Without electricity and no cold water available at home, she had to urgently seek help from her neighbors.
"My hand, with which I do everything. I had to run outside to ask for help, thanks to my neighbors' quick response because I didn't even have a bottle of cold water to relieve the terrible burning sensation," she described.
Fortunately, a doctor from the burn unit at the San José de las Lajas hospital was visiting a neighbor and provided immediate assistance, advising her on the necessary steps. Caballero announced she would visit a clinic the next day for treatment of the blisters that had already formed.
"I can't take my hand out of the cold water; it's what keeps me somewhat relieved. How I wish to live without stress, without worries," she concluded her post, which garnered over 1,500 reactions and nearly 500 comments of solidarity.
Several followers confirmed in the comments that they had experienced similar situations that same day in Mayabeque.
"Ours exploded today at 2:30 pm, and they still haven't come. We have low voltage, and I can't even sleep," one user wrote. Another noted, "This situation has us unbalanced."
The Widespread Impact of Cuba's Power Crisis
Caballero's case is not unique. The Cuban electrical crisis of 2026 has recorded a deficit exceeding 2,100 MW, with blackouts lasting up to 50 consecutive hours in some municipalities. The peak reached 2,174 MW on May 14, leaving up to 70% of the island without electricity simultaneously. Lacking solutions, millions of Cubans are forced to cook with charcoal and wood under precarious and dangerous conditions.
Accidents resulting from this situation have multiplied. On June 14, a nine-month-old baby suffered burns in Santiago de Cuba while the family cooked with charcoal during a blackout.
An elderly woman also sustained severe injuries in similar circumstances in the same province and was sent to the burn unit at the Juan Bruno Zayas hospital.
An Activist's Ongoing Struggle
Caballero is a well-known figure in the animal advocacy community of Mayabeque. In April 2024, she led a public denunciation of three men arrested in San José de las Lajas for allegedly killing stray dogs and selling their meat disguised as pork or lamb.
Her activism continues without state support, in a context where the Cuban regime fails to comply with its own Animal Welfare Decree-Law 31, having not established the shelters and rescue centers mandated since 2021.
"We are living through very difficult times, especially for those of us responsible for so many animals," summarized one of the rescuers who commented on the post, echoing the daily struggles faced by thousands of Cubans.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the power outage in San José de las Lajas?
The power outage in San José de las Lajas was caused by a transformer explosion, which has happened multiple times.
How are Cubans coping with the lack of electricity?
Many Cubans are forced to cook with charcoal and wood due to prolonged blackouts, which are often dangerous and lead to accidents.
What assistance did Yenney Caballero receive after her accident?
A doctor visiting a neighbor provided immediate care and guidance, and Caballero planned to visit a clinic the following day for further treatment.