"We don't want to cook with charcoal or wood," stated Juan Luis Vasallo Palomo, popularly known on social media as El Quijote Bayamés, in a Facebook video where he criticizes the power outage schedules in Bayamo, located in Granma province. His plea is both fundamental and urgent: if electricity is only available for a few hours, it should at least be during times when families need to prepare meals.
In the video, Vasallo Palomo points out that the electricity often returns in the early morning hours, a time when residents are asleep and unable to use it for cooking. He urges the Granma Electric Company to prioritize powering homes around eight or nine in the morning.
"At that hour, the power is of no use," he laments about the early morning reconnections. The Bayamo resident sarcastically addresses the electric company, dubbing it the "great National Vanguard," and demands they consider the real needs of households.
The Struggle Without Refrigeration and Timely Power
A significant issue he highlights is the difficulty in preserving food. "We can't store food; it spoils," he explains. Consequently, when the electricity does return, families must quickly decide what to prepare and cook immediately, leaving no room for planning meals ahead.
Vasallo Palomo mentions that when conditions improve, his area sometimes gets over three hours of electricity daily. However, he finds it futile that these limited hours occur at dawn: "Supply it when it's needed," he insists.
His complaint extends to water supply issues as well. Many residents rely on an electric pump to bring water to their homes, and when the schedules for electricity and water supply don't align, the situation worsens. While he can use a small generator for pumping, he notes that not everyone has that option.
"It's something for you to figure out," he says, addressing those responsible for setting up the electric circuits, urging them to consider how people live with these outages.
Public Outcry for Consistent Electricity
The video stirred reactions from fellow Cubans who share his frustration, with some demanding more than just better timing. "Brother, the power shouldn't go out at all," commented C. F. S. J. M. S. A. added, "We need electricity 24/7," questioning why negotiating service hours has become the norm.
From Havana, M. S. C. echoed his sentiments: "It's the same here in Havana." Another user, O. A. P. S., expressed their irritation succinctly: "We're like cavemen."
This isn't the first time El Quijote Bayamés has spoken out about these issues. In September, CiberCuba reported another complaint from him regarding prolonged outages in his area and the inability to keep food refrigerated. He also discussed the exhaustion caused by the lack of electricity and the rising cost of food.
Cuba Faces Major Power Deficit in November
His testimony aligns with another critical phase for Cuba's National Electrical System. According to a report from the Electric Union on Monday, November 2, a peak demand shortage of 1,922 megawatts was forecasted, with only 958 MW available and a demand of 2,850 MW. These figures are national, not specific to Vasallo Palomo's circuit.
The Blackout Observatory of CiberCuba monitors official reports and local updates, while personal stories like this illustrate the impact of power cuts on daily activities such as cooking and accessing water.
The debate over whether electricity arrives during the day or night highlights a more fundamental demand, echoed by those commenting on the video: that electricity should cease being an exceptional service and become reliably available throughout the day.
Understanding the Electricity Crisis in Bayamo
Why is electricity a major issue in Bayamo?
Bayamo faces significant power outages that disrupt daily life, making it difficult for residents to perform essential tasks like cooking and preserving food.
What are the residents requesting regarding power supply?
Residents, including Juan Luis Vasallo Palomo, are requesting that electricity be available during the morning hours when it is most needed for cooking and other daily activities.
How is the lack of electricity affecting food storage?
Without a consistent power supply, residents cannot reliably refrigerate food, leading to spoilage and making meal planning challenging.