Arianelis Ramírez, a Cuban mother, has turned to Facebook, sharing a heartfelt video pleading for guidance on obtaining a humanitarian visa to take her daughter, Sara, out of the country. Sara suffers from cerebral palsy, brain injuries, and spasticity affecting all four limbs.
"We can't take it anymore in this country," Arianelis declares in the video, which has garnered over 14,000 views and 1,338 reactions. She vividly describes how the lengthy blackouts are taking a toll on her daughter's health: food spoils, Sara can't sleep due to the heat, wakes up covered in rashes, and is exhausted for her rehabilitation sessions the next day.
The Dire Impact of Power Outages
Arianelis emphasizes the critical need for special attention and care for children like Sara, who require electricity for their basic needs, including daily hygiene and washing diapers. She urges anyone familiar with the necessary procedures to contact her privately.
Sara's plight highlights the severe challenges faced by Cuban families with children dependent on electricity for essential care during Cuba's worst electrical crisis in recent history. The power generation deficit nears 2,000 MW during peak hours, against a demand of 3,200 MW.
Widespread Electrical Failures
In provinces like Granma, Holguín, and Matanzas, blackouts exceed 20 hours a day. The national electrical system has collapsed seven times in the past 18 months, including a complete blackout on March 16, 2026, that left the entire island without power for 29 hours.
Arianelis is not alone in her struggle. Last June, Ileana Legón Pereira from Ciego de Ávila raised the alarm that outages of over 22 hours hinder her ability to prepare blended food for her eight-year-old son, Christopher, who has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and severe autism.
A Call for Dignity and Hope
In a prior video, Arianelis documented her ordeal cooking on an improvised stove during a blackout, as Sara cried drenched in sweat when the fans' charge depleted.
The crisis' impact on children's health is catastrophic: the infant mortality rate in Cuba has doubled to 9.9 per 1,000 births, over 11,000 pediatric surgeries are postponed, and 3,000 children face vaccination delays.
In November 2025, young Nabila passed away due to complications from cerebral palsy and lack of access to Clobazam medication, a case that shocked the Cuban community both on the island and abroad.
Arianelis concludes her plea with a heartfelt request that echoes the exhaustion of thousands of families: "All I ask for is a dignified life for Sara, a dignified life. That she can improve her quality of life."
Understanding the Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba
What challenges do Cuban families face due to power outages?
Cuban families face significant challenges due to power outages, such as spoiled food, lack of sleep due to heat, and difficulties in maintaining hygiene and essential care for children with special needs.
How has the electrical crisis affected children's health in Cuba?
The electrical crisis in Cuba has led to a doubling of the infant mortality rate, postponement of over 11,000 pediatric surgeries, and delays in vaccinations for 3,000 children, severely affecting children's health.