Recent videos shared on Facebook by the page Mi mundo highlight the dire situation in Cuba, showing women resorting to washing clothes in a river due to a severe water shortage in their municipality. These images, reminiscent of pre-revolutionary times, have quickly spread across social media.
In one viral video, a woman's voice candidly expresses the plight: "The water situation we have is also a problem, folks."
Another clip captures a woman addressing the camera directly: "Ladies, speak up. We're here washing in the river because, unfortunately, our municipality is also facing water issues."
This scene is far from unique. According to official data from May 2026, nearly three million Cubans endure daily water shortages, while around 10 million—essentially the entire population—experience intermittent supply.
The Crumbling Infrastructure
The root of this crisis is deeply structural. Cuba's water system operates with just 37% of the fuel needed for pumping, and over 80% of the equipment relies on electricity. Consequently, each power outage also means a water shutdown.
In 2026, some areas have experienced power cuts lasting up to 50 consecutive hours.
The struggle for water is a daily battle across all provinces. In Santiago de Cuba, 50 water supply systems are out of service, with fecal contamination affecting 180,000 people. In Havana, over 376,000 residents face interruptions due to breakdowns and electrical failures. Meanwhile, in Guantánamo, authorities are preparing to deliver water with animal-drawn carts, and in Las Tunas, an entire municipality has gone over a month without stable service.
A Return to Old Practices
The practice of washing clothes in rivers, historically associated with rural areas lacking infrastructure, has reemerged in urban and semi-urban settings across multiple provinces. In May 2025, residents of Pinar del Río were forced to wash in the river after weeks without water, amidst temperatures that soared above 30 degrees Celsius. In April of the same year, a Cuban woman made headlines by connecting her washing machine directly to the river using homemade hoses.
In June 2026, a Cuban woman who reported enduring 42 hours without electricity or water summarized the collective despair with a phrase that resonated on social media: "They're stealing our lives."
The phrase "a return to the past" has ironically and painfully circulated in response to these images, encapsulating the regression that Cuban society is experiencing. Decades of underinvestment in hydraulic infrastructure, deteriorating pipes with massive leaks, and an unresolved energy crisis have forced thousands of families back to practices they thought were long behind them.
Understanding Cuba's Water Crisis
What is causing the water shortage in Cuba?
The water shortage in Cuba is primarily due to a combination of inadequate fuel for pumping, reliance on electricity for over 80% of its water systems, and aging infrastructure that has suffered from decades of underinvestment.
How widespread is the water crisis in Cuba?
The water crisis affects nearly three million Cubans who face daily shortages, and almost the entire population experiences intermittent water supply. This issue impacts all provinces to varying degrees.
What measures are being taken to address the water crisis?
In some areas, authorities are resorting to delivering water with animal-drawn carts, and efforts are being made to manage electrical failures and breakdowns. However, a comprehensive solution remains elusive.