The Cuban content creator, Sayu Domínguez, released a video on Thursday where she highlights the severe crisis gripping Cuba, including prolonged three-day blackouts and wages that are insufficient to cover basic food needs.
The video has garnered over 52,000 views. In the description, Sayu emphasized the importance of not exploiting the dire needs of the Cuban populace. "Not everyone can afford a solar panel or has someone abroad to send them one. This is no way to live," she stated.
The Reality of Life Amidst Power Outages
Recording from the island, Sayu candidly discussed the harsh realities of living under the current energy shortages. "Do you know what it's like to experience three days of blackout with no electricity, having your food spoil and needing to throw it all away? They give you electricity for just two hours and then take it away for another three days."
The Disparity Between Wages and Living Costs
The influencer also highlighted the stark contrast between wages and the cost of living, asserting that workers' earnings "are not enough for anything." Addressing those suggesting alternative energy solutions, Sayu was blunt: "How much does an EcoFlow cost? $900. How much is a panel? $1,200. How much is a rechargeable fan? $50, $60. It doesn't add up. Half of the population, not to mention 95%, can't afford these."
Beyond the energy crisis, the young influencer condemned the social decline plaguing the island: "Look at what they've turned Cuba into. It's a place where you can't even walk down the street alone because you'll get robbed. There's crime, children on drugs, girls in prostitution, and pregnancies. This is what they've created!"
A Personal Connection to Cuba's Struggles
Sayu is the daughter of Japanese entrepreneur Sayuri Yoshida, who arrived in Cuba as a tourist in 2003, fell in love with the country and artist Nelson Domínguez Cedeño, and ultimately settled permanently in Old Havana in 2013 to raise her daughter. Yoshida opened a business there called "Crepe Sayu," specializing in Japanese cuisine at the corner of Aguacate and Obrapía.
Sayu's video is part of a growing wave of social media protests led by young Cubans fed up with the energy crisis, which has reached historic levels in 2026. Her testimony carries significant weight as she speaks from within the country, not from exile, with the credibility of someone who lives through each blackout firsthand. Her message concluded with a stark warning to the regime: "Cuba will smile again. And it won't be thanks to you."
Understanding the Cuban Crisis
What prompted Sayu Domínguez to speak out?
Sayu Domínguez was driven to speak out by the severe crisis in Cuba, characterized by long-lasting blackouts and inadequate wages that fail to cover basic needs. Her video highlights these issues and calls for change.
How does Sayu view the energy solutions proposed to Cubans?
Sayu Domínguez criticizes the proposed energy solutions, arguing that the costs of alternatives like solar panels and rechargeable fans are prohibitively expensive for the majority of Cubans.