In Cuba, a line of dozens of people, their faces lit only by the glow of cell phone screens, waits in darkness to buy chicken during a power outage. This scene captures the daily struggles faced by millions of Cubans.
The moment was caught on video and shared on Facebook by the account Unaguajira de Palmarito. It shows locals queuing outside a store at night in a place identified as Palmarito.
With a title that translates to “The Chicken Arrived in My Town,” the brief 30-second clip reveals shoppers slowly advancing in the darkness, relying on their mobile phones as their sole source of light.
Persistent Power Outages and Food Shortages
“The night falls, yet in Cuba, the day doesn’t end. In darkness, under the relentless power cuts, an endless line moves like shadows. There’s no light, but there's an urgency that cannot wait,” narrates the video’s creator.
The footage was recorded amid yet another total breakdown of the National Electric System (SEN), marking the fifth occurrence in 2026 after the Felton thermoelectric plant’s Unit 1 went offline.
The extended blackouts, often exceeding 20 hours a day in various areas, force countless families to line up under increasingly challenging conditions, trying to buy basic foods when they become available.
Skyrocketing Chicken Prices Amid Economic Strain
The chicken situation has worsened recently due to distribution issues and rising prices. In June, the Cuban government lifted price caps for cut-up chicken through Resolution 150/2026, causing prices to soar from 150–250 pesos to 3,500–6,000 pesos. This is in a country where the average state salary is around 7,000 pesos per month.
A few weeks earlier, Alberto López Díaz, the Minister of the Food Industry, had publicly acknowledged that the rationed basket had not distributed chicken so far in 2026, according to Cuban officials who admitted the supply chain collapse.
Public Reactions and Desperation
The images sparked a flood of reactions on social media. Many users expressed concern not just about the long wait, but also the uncertainty of being able to cook the chicken if they managed to buy it.
“Will the last person be able to cook it? It’s tough,” commented Aidee Mendoza Reyes, highlighting the widespread power cuts affecting much of the country.
“It’s tough, and as always, there wasn’t enough,” wrote another user, Laritza Acosta Viera.
Others directly blamed the authorities for the dire situation. “What a crime what’s happening in Cuba,” voiced Dayanis González López.
This scene mirrors a repetitive and grim reality across the island: long lines for food, hours-long power outages, and citizens waiting in complete darkness, hoping to buy essential goods before they run out.
Understanding Cuba's Ongoing Crisis
What caused the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to the breakdown of the National Electric System, exacerbated by the failure of the Felton thermoelectric plant's Unit 1.
Why have chicken prices increased so drastically in Cuba?
Chicken prices in Cuba have surged due to the government's removal of price caps and ongoing distribution challenges, leading to prices between 3,500 and 6,000 pesos.
How are the Cuban people reacting to these challenges?
Cuban citizens are expressing frustration and despair over long waits and uncertainty, as well as blaming authorities for the worsening conditions.