On Tuesday, families with children ventured to various recreational spots in Cienfuegos, desperately seeking electricity, food, and water, only to find none. This dire situation was described in a Facebook post by citizen José Alemán, who painted a picture of total service collapse in the province just days before the new school year begins.
Alemán recounts how a friend visited Playa Rancho Luna, where state-run establishments were devoid of food, private businesses refused electronic payments, and warm beers were sold at exorbitant prices ranging from 580 to 850 Cuban pesos. The venue's managers confirmed that electricity would not be restored until Thursday.
"From there, they set out to find a place to spend the day with their children, visiting Playa Vista Alegre, La Laguna del Cura, La Punta, Covadonga, and found nothing operational. Neither the state nor private entities," Alemán wrote.
The situation he describes extends across the entire province. In his hometown of Palmira, power outages last three to four days consecutively, with service resuming for only a few hours. "Nothing works in Cienfuegos, that’s my opinion and conclusion," he declared.
Alemán also points a finger at local authorities' management: "Recently, they realized the smallest province in the country has been grappling with a deficit of over 85 MW for months, surpassing several provinces like Las Tunas and Ciego de Ávila." He added, "This illustrates the rampant corruption in society that no one wants to address."
The energy deficit in Cienfuegos is among the most severe in the country. On August 15, the province faced an 89 MW shortfall, while Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Plant—located in the region—experienced multiple emergency shutdowns throughout 2026. On August 2, simultaneous outages in the high-voltage lines Matanzas-Cienfuegos and Matanzas-Santa Clara split the National Electric System, leaving five western provinces without power for nearly seven hours.
By mid-August, residents reported power cuts lasting 50 to 60 consecutive hours, and in the Real Campiña community in Aguada de Pasajeros, there were 27 days without potable water since June.
This collapse comes at the worst possible time for Cuban families. On August 22, dozens protested outside the provincial government headquarters in Cienfuegos, demanding answers for the blackouts and food spoilage. On the same day, Cuban mothers publicly announced they would not send their children to school unless basic conditions of electricity, water, and snacks were ensured.
Despite the chaos, the Minister of Education confirmed on Monday that the school year would commence on September 1, without providing assurances regarding the conditions in which children would attend classes.
"Do not ask for resilience and speak in third person when a nation is dying in darkness, lacking water and basic services," Alemán concluded in his post.
Understanding the Power Crisis in Cienfuegos
What are the main issues faced by Cienfuegos residents?
Cienfuegos residents are struggling with severe power outages, lack of food and water, and inadequate public services, creating a crisis situation just before the school year begins.
How are local authorities addressing the energy shortage?
Local authorities have been criticized for their management, with accusations of corruption and failure to effectively address the over 85 MW energy deficit affecting the province.
What actions have Cienfuegos residents taken in response?
Residents have protested at the provincial government headquarters, demanding answers and solutions to the ongoing blackouts and the subsequent spoilage of food supplies.