In a striking display of resourcefulness, Yatmara Bernal from Cuba shared a video on Facebook showcasing a makeshift charcoal stove her husband constructed from discarded materials found on the streets. This simple yet effective invention paints a clearer picture of Cuba's reality in 2026 than any official rhetoric could.
The stove is entirely homemade, using no purchased components. At its core is an old, non-functional electric meter box, altered to allow airflow. "This is an old electric meter box that was no longer usable. He made this large opening here to let oxygen in so the charcoal can ignite properly," Yatmara explains.
The base consists of a metal drawer filled with soil to insulate heat from its cardboard bottom. Two metal meshes complete the design: one supports the charcoal, while the other serves as a removable tray for ash disposal.
The stove is ignited using small wooden sticks and a lighter. To keep the fire burning, Yatmara employs a clever trick: "Very important, I use this rechargeable fan to keep it blowing air here, so the fire catches on," she notes, demonstrating how the charcoal glows red with the forced oxygen.
The charcoal pieces are thoughtfully sized. "I've made both large and small pieces; the smaller ones ignite faster, while the larger ones last longer," she details.
The Energy Crisis Deepens
This homemade stove is not merely an oddity; it is a survival tool for countless Cubans grappling with a collapsed infrastructure for electricity and liquefied gas.
In Santiago de Cuba, power outages stretch up to 20 hours daily, while areas in Matanzas and La Lisa have endured blackouts lasting 87 consecutive hours. A major transmission line failure on July 10 between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus led to the fourth nationwide blackout of the year, leaving millions without electricity.
The formal market for liquefied gas has been barren for months. In January, the tanker Emilia returned to Cuba empty-handed as the government failed to pay for fuel. By May, 10 kg gas cylinders were being sold online for $29, transforming a basic necessity into an expensive luxury.
Charcoal: The Scarce Lifeline
Charcoal has emerged as the emergency fuel across the island, though its price reflects the soaring demand: a tin that once cost 200 pesos now sells for 800 pesos in Santiago de Cuba, while a five-tin sack reaches 4,000 pesos, nearly double the monthly minimum wage.
The irony is stark: in 2023, Cuba exported $61.8 million worth of charcoal, and by the first quarter of 2026, a company in Camagüey exported over 150 tons to Europe, even as locals struggled to find fuel for cooking.
The widespread use of charcoal under precarious conditions has led to serious accidents. On June 14, a nine-month-old baby suffered burns in Santiago de Cuba. Yenney Caballero, an animal rights advocate, burned her hand while cooking with charcoal during a blackout exceeding 24 hours in San José de las Lajas.
While the regime has failed to provide lasting solutions, it continues to promote "creative resistance" as the official response to the crisis. Even President Miguel Díaz-Canel conceded on June 18 at the Extraordinary Plenary of the Central Committee that this mantra "is no longer enough."
June saw a historic record of 107 street protests in Cuba, as citizens continue to craft stoves from whatever they can scavenge.
Understanding the Cuban Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis stems from multiple factors, including outdated infrastructure, economic mismanagement, and an inability to secure fuel imports, exacerbated by the government's financial constraints.
How are Cubans coping with the lack of electricity and gas?
Cubans are turning to innovative solutions like homemade charcoal stoves to cook food, as traditional sources of energy have become unreliable or too expensive.
What are the risks associated with using charcoal for cooking?
Cooking with charcoal can be hazardous, leading to risks of burns and respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation, especially under makeshift conditions without proper ventilation.