A Cuban content creator, known online as Azúcar Cuba, voiced her frustration in a Facebook video about enduring over two months with only three hours of electricity per day. She expressed the challenge of living without a consistent schedule, making it impossible to plan her life.
The video attracted over 400 comments from Cubans across the island, sharing similar or even more dire experiences.
Enduring the Daily Struggle
"I have been living like this for exactly two months. I'm not sure who else is in the same situation, because it seems nobody cares. People in my neighborhood act as if nothing is happening," she states in the video.
Azúcar Cuba describes an exhausting daily routine. Residents stay at home all day waiting for the power to return, rushing to charge devices in the limited time available.
"You can't leave your house because they turn it on at any time. There is no set schedule for when the electricity comes back. You have to stay home all day," she explains.
Psychological Toll of Power Outages
The emotional burden is evident in her testimony: "They have us on edge, driving us to the point where I don't even feel like creating content anymore."
Living in Havana, Azúcar Cuba has witnessed the intensifying energy crisis in recent months. She mentioned reading about neighborhoods enduring up to 105 days without power, a figure officially confirmed.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged before the National Assembly on July 30 that some communities have faced up to 105 consecutive days without electricity, admitting that a short-term solution is not in sight.
A Crisis Felt Across the Island
Comments on the video depict a widespread crisis affecting the entire island. A person from Cayo Hueso in Havana shared, "We've been having just three hours since March, and sometimes we face 48 hours without it."
Another user reported having even less power: "We get an hour and a half, and sometimes with low voltage."
Several commentators offered perspective on the two months Azúcar Cuba mentioned. "If you've been dealing with this for two months, you're still in a better situation, though it sounds harsh to say," one user noted.
Another added, "There's a neighborhood in Matanzas called Versalles that's been like this for years. Years!" A third was more direct: "In the provinces, it's been like this for many months. You're doing well if you started two months ago."
The collective exhaustion is palpable: "I'm the same, very tired. I leave for work without power and come back to the same. It's beyond words, the stress is too much," wrote another Cuban.
One commenter summarized the prevailing sentiment: "This is here to stay, my friend. And yes, nobody cares."
The Worst Energy Crisis in Recent History
Azúcar Cuba's video comes amid Cuba's most severe energy crisis in decades. On Sunday, the sixth total disconnection of the National Electric System was reported this year.
In Matanzas, some circuits experienced up to 87 consecutive hours without power. Minister De la O Levy blamed the most extreme cases on outdated transformers, old circuits, and the systematic theft of transformer oil, yet provided no timeline for a resolution.
The content creator ended her video with a question many Cubans are asking: "I wonder how long we're going to keep enduring this."
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the extended power outages in Cuba?
The prolonged power outages in Cuba are attributed to outdated transformers, aging circuits, and the systematic theft of transformer oil. The government has acknowledged the issue but has not provided a short-term solution.
How long have some communities been without power?
Some communities in Cuba have experienced up to 105 consecutive days without electricity, as confirmed by the Minister of Energy and Mines.
How are people coping with the power crisis?
Residents are staying home all day, waiting for electricity to return so they can charge their devices. The lack of a consistent schedule adds to the stress and psychological toll on the population.