A Cuban mother recently shared a stark account on the Facebook group Havana Electric Company, highlighting the harsh realities faced by countless families on the island: enduring power outages that stretch up to 36 hours, children falling ill due to the oppressive heat, and an official slogan of "endure" that she throws back at the regime as a pointed criticism.
Identifying herself as Marianela Chibas, she detailed the plight of her two children: a five-year-old boy and a five-month-old baby. Accompanying her narrative were images of red rashes on the children's chests and backs, indicative of heat rash, a common ailment among infants whose bodies struggle to regulate temperature.
"My 5-year-old and my 5-month-old. How much longer? The blackouts now last about 36 hours... for just 3 hours of electricity with constant flickering," she shared in her post dated September 3rd.
Chibas further emphasized that many Cubans lack resources to mitigate these outages: "Many of us don't have relatives sending us EcoFlows or anything like that... meanwhile, our children suffer under a failed government."
Describing her writing moment, she noted how her baby slept beside her with two fans running, taking advantage of the brief electricity window. It was then she reversed the regime's slogan: "You try enduring with 3 hours of power every 36 or more hours of blackout, you try with an empty stomach and a throat dry from thirst."
Unprecedented Energy Crisis in Cuba
Chibas' story is far from unique. In 2026, Cuba is gripped by an unprecedented energy crisis, with its National Electric System hamstrung by outdated thermoelectric plants, insufficient maintenance, and a chronic fuel shortage.
This past Friday, the Electric Union predicted a maximum shortfall of 2,220 MW, potentially leaving up to 68% of the island without power during peak demand, according to EFE calculations reported by Infobae.
Throughout 2026, the electrical system suffered at least seven total collapses, with outages exceeding 72 consecutive hours in certain areas and over 80 hours in other provinces. The country hit a new low in its energy crisis on August 4th, with a record shortfall of 2,411 megawatts (MW).
The Worsening Food Crisis
This energy crisis exacerbates an already dire food situation. According to the "Hunger in Cuba 2025" National Food Security Survey by the Food Monitor Program, 80.4% of surveyed households struggled with cooking due to blackouts, and 48.3% lost food because of lack of refrigeration. Additionally, in 33.9% of homes, at least one member went to bed hungry due to food shortages in the previous 30 days.
Chibas' account adds to a growing list of complaints from Cuban mothers on social media throughout the year. In July, a woman from Cerro recounted sleeping on the roof with her daughter to endure the stifling nights without ventilation. All these testimonies point to the same root cause: decades of neglect of the energy infrastructure by a system unable — or unwilling — to rectify it.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Food Crisis
Why are power outages so severe in Cuba?
Cuba's power outages are severe due to an outdated and poorly maintained thermoelectric infrastructure, compounded by a chronic fuel shortage.
How do these blackouts affect Cuban families?
Blackouts severely disrupt daily life, causing heat-related illnesses, limiting cooking and refrigeration capabilities, and exacerbating food shortages.
What measures are being taken to address Cuba's energy crisis?
Currently, there are limited measures in place, as the government struggles with outdated infrastructure and lacks the resources to implement effective solutions.