A mother from Las Tunas recently posted a poignant video on the Facebook page "Revolico Las Tunas" that highlights the harsh reality of power outages in Cuba. The video shows her young son sleeping on the rooftop outside neighbors' houses, relying solely on a portable fan for comfort.
The accompanying text is clear and direct: "When he should have been resting, they cut the power."
The image depicts the boy lying on the ground, atop a thin mattress covered by a sheet. Inside the home, the unbearable heat during a power outage makes it impossible for him to find rest.
"Tonight, my little one should have enjoyed a full night's sleep in his bed to prepare for the new school year. Instead, look at how he spent the night: outdoors, lying on the floor, with the fan out of charge because there's not even enough time to power it," lamented Ybeht Leyva.
"The heat is unbearable, the mosquitoes relentless. Dear God, how long will this torment last? Now, if I don't send my child to school, am I a bad mother? I couldn't even prepare his milk because there's no electricity," she emphasized.
Growing Frustration Among Cuban Parents
As September began, Cuba faced a crippling electricity deficit of 2,310 MW, with 11 of the nation's 16 thermoelectric plants out of service due to failures or maintenance.
On the first day of the new school year, another Cuban mother sent a powerful message, declaring she would not send her children to school while power outages prevent them from getting adequate rest. "When Cubans learn to say enough, there will be change in this country," asserted Marianela Hernández from Havana.
An increasing number of mothers are taking to social media to express their outrage over their children's inability to sleep due to power cuts lasting over 20 hours.
In July, a Cuban woman captured a scene of four children sleeping on the floor of a porch at the bustling intersection of Prado and Virtudes in central Havana while the city remained in darkness. "This is disgraceful, shameful. Look at the children sleeping on the ground," remarked the woman recording the scene, with the sound of car horns in the background.
Widespread Impact of Energy Crisis
"We've been sleeping on the rooftop for a week," reported a resident from the Cerro municipality in Havana, describing the inhumane conditions her family endured after more than a week of continuous blackouts: no potable water and her daughter covered in mosquito bites from sleeping outdoors.
In August, another Cuban mother's frustration boiled over on social media after enduring 24 hours without power. The maximum electricity shortfall recorded that month reached 2,340 MW.
Las Tunas has faced additional blows to its electrical infrastructure. In June, more than 100 families in the Puerto Padre municipality went 13 consecutive days without power or water following a transformer explosion.
In April, the theft of 600 liters of dielectric oil left 40% of Amancio municipality's customers without electricity, impacting nearly 5,000 people, a clinic, and a water pumping station.
The nightly migration of families to porches, rooftops, yards, and streets has become one of the most stark symbols of Cuba's energy crisis.
This year, Cuba has experienced seven total collapses of the National Electric System, resulting in nationwide blackouts that have left over nine million people without power simultaneously.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing power outages due to a significant electricity deficit, with many thermoelectric plants out of service because of failures or maintenance needs. Additionally, issues like transformer explosions and thefts have further impacted the electrical infrastructure.
How are Cuban families coping with the energy crisis?
Cuban families are often forced to sleep outdoors on rooftops, porches, and streets to escape the heat and mosquito infestations caused by the lack of electricity. These conditions are leading to increased frustration and outcry among parents on social media.
What actions are being taken to address the electricity shortfall in Cuba?
Efforts to address the electricity shortfall include repairing and maintaining thermoelectric plants, as well as addressing infrastructure issues like transformer repairs. However, the situation remains dire, with frequent power outages affecting millions.