Camagüey writer and journalist María Antonia Borroto Trujillo has shared a spiritual survival guide on her Facebook profile, designed to help Cubans contact the Unión Eléctrica without succumbing to a heart attack.
Unlike a technical manual, this guide serves as a meditative aid, incorporating elements of yoga, tai chi, prayer, and aromatherapy. Its intent is to prepare citizens for the inevitable busy signal with a Buddha-like calmness.
Borroto Trujillo, a Communications Science PhD and UNEAC member, begins with seemingly sensible advice: “Inhale and exhale slowly for about three minutes. Visualize serene scenes or moments of complete relaxation. Then, dial the necessary digits.”
This initial step seems practical, but the real challenge follows, as she candidly notes: “If you get a busy signal, which is highly likely.”
Escalating Spiritual Techniques
Once faced with the busy signal, the guide suggests lighting incense or a candle for a favored saint, taking eight breaths, and repeating a mantra—“Om, the universal mantra” is recommended—before redialing. If the line remains engaged, the process intensifies: more incense, alternate breathing, a Hail Mary, several laps around the room barefoot, and a Lord’s Prayer, ideally accompanied by a basic yoga pose.
The saga doesn’t end there. Borroto Trujillo advises a full walk around the block, returning shoeless to attempt the call again with renewed calm. For those more experienced, personalized strategies are offered: perform a sun salutation for yoga practitioners or execute the 8-form in tai chi, then try once more.
Her humorous conclusion is a testament to Cuban irony: “This sequence won’t ensure good communication, but it might prevent a heart attack or stroke.”
A Reflection of National Frustration
This satire mirrors the frustration of countless Cubans attempting to report power outages via the official number 18888, which is theoretically operational 24/7 but often unreachable. July 2026 marked a dire period for Cuba’s power grid, with three complete collapses of the National Electric System in just ten days. On July 6, 10, and 14, millions were left powerless; by July 29, available generation was only 850 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW, leaving 74% of the country simultaneously without electricity. Santiago de Cuba’s Electric Company conceded it couldn't assure even two hours of power daily in certain areas.
This post is part of a trend of dark humor that has become a genre in itself on Cuban social media in 2026. Comedian Ulises Toirac jested about the blackout on July 26; Otto Ortiz mocked the scant 45 minutes of electricity he received; and Mario Sardiñas, through his character Chequera, simplified the power grid's status to merely “with power” and “without power.”
With accolades like the Calendario, Dador, and Eliseo Diego awards, Borroto Trujillo highlights a critical niche for self-help literature in Cuba: emotionally surviving the customer service experience with the Unión Eléctrica.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
Why is reaching the Unión Eléctrica so challenging in Cuba?
The line is often busy or unresponsive due to the high volume of calls from citizens reporting power outages and the limited capacity of the system to handle such traffic.
What led to the power crisis in Cuba in July 2026?
July 2026 experienced three complete collapses of the National Electric System, leaving millions without power due to insufficient electricity generation to meet the demand.
How are Cubans coping with frequent power outages?
Cubans often turn to humor and creativity, as seen in social media posts, to cope with the frustrations of reporting outages and dealing with unreliable electricity.