A Cuban woman, identified as Dailigd, took to Facebook this Saturday to share an emotional video where she tearfully describes the dire situation her family faces after enduring more than a day without electricity. Her heartfelt testimony has become a powerful emblem of the collective exhaustion felt across Cuba due to the ongoing power crisis.
In the 58-second nighttime video, Dailigd shows her children sleeping while she fans them by hand to provide some relief from the stifling heat. She recounts a day marked by only two brief power returns—one lasting 20 minutes and another 30—before the lights went out again.
"How much longer must our children fall asleep with us fanning them, using a flashlight because there's no electricity? They gave us 20 minutes of power, then took it away, nearly an hour later, they brought it back for another 30 minutes. Over 24 hours without light," Dailigd narrates in the video.
She also highlights the issue of food spoilage and describes the situation as unbearable: "How much longer? Tell me, how much longer? They're pushing us to the brink, to the edge. We can't take it anymore, this isn't a life."
Posted with the hashtag #TiredMothers, the video has garnered 2,253 likes and 462 comments, reflecting its immediate impact among Cubans.
Dailigd's account coincides with one of the worst days of the year for Cuba's electrical system. On that Saturday, Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported only 757 MW available during the day and anticipated a 2,120 MW deficit during the evening peak, with demand estimated at 3,200 MW against a supply of just 1,080 MW.
On the same day, ten thermoelectric units were offline, six due to breakdowns and four undergoing scheduled maintenance.
This crisis is not a new development. On July 29, UNE anticipated a record deficit of 2,380 MW, with only 850 MW available against a demand of 3,200 MW, the highest recorded this year.
In July, Havana experienced between 20 and 30 hours of daily power outages, while some provinces endured blackouts lasting up to 72 consecutive hours, as reported by Infobae.
The video joins a series of viral testimonies that have highlighted the human impact of the crisis throughout 2026: a mother reporting 48 hours without power alongside her son, another showing her daughter with heat rash, and a third echoing the sentiment of many with the repeated phrase, "I can't take it anymore."
In 2026, Cuba has suffered five total collapses of its National Electric System—blackouts that plunged the entire island into darkness simultaneously—signaling the severe deterioration of an aging thermoelectric infrastructure, plagued by inadequate maintenance and a chronic fuel shortage.
Cuba's Electricity Crisis: FAQs
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The outages are primarily due to the severe deterioration of Cuba's aging thermoelectric plants, insufficient maintenance, and a chronic shortage of fuel.
How long have the power outages in Cuba been occurring?
The crisis has been ongoing, with severe outages reported in 2026, including up to 72-hour blackouts in some areas.
How are Cuban citizens responding to the power crisis?
Cubans are expressing their frustration and exhaustion through social media, sharing personal testimonies that highlight the human impact of the outages.