The comedian Ulises Toirac, who recently warned about the dire current situation that could lead to social unrest in the country, described on Tuesday the sad reality that Cuban families face daily. "Mothers struggling at the stoves, children who couldn't sleep because of the heat and mosquitoes, elderly people hanging their hand-washed socks without soap," was the harsh reality of Cuba described by the popular comedian in a Facebook post.
According to Toirac, the long walks, constant blackouts, and high temperatures reported by Cuban meteorological stations "have stolen the desire to do anything that can be done without electricity," depicting the daily life of many who also face issues of scarcity, inflation, and difficult access to food.
The comedian shared his thoughts while lying at the entrance of his home, unable to stop thinking about the sad reality of the Cuban people. He reflected on how the sun is relentless for those who must inevitably walk through the streets plagued by heat, due to the lack of an efficient public transportation system.
While enjoying the breeze, Toirac noted that he does not give up on making plans despite the adverse Cuban reality. However, his thoughts were invaded by images of thousands suffering from the anxiety of blackouts, unable to enjoy even a sea breeze for various reasons. "And then it comes to my mind the millions of homes where it doesn't reach, and I think of packaging it, putting it in boxes, maybe linking 22 billion tubes and getting it to everyone," he said.
Cubans, already weary of the numerous blackouts, are forced to seek extreme solutions to face the sad reality affecting them. Recently, a Cuban man was captured at dawn, still sleeping after spending the night on a rooftop on what appears to be a mattress covered by a mosquito net. It is an ingenious initiative to be able to sleep amid the constant and unbearable blackouts plaguing the population across the island.
"This is how mornings start in Cuba," said Facebook user Saúl Manuel on his account. The sad reality seems endless as the report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) revealed that the crisis remains above 1,000 MW of power outages heading into this Wednesday.
Understanding Cuba's Current Crisis
To provide a clearer picture of the situation in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What are the main issues faced by Cuban families today?
Cuban families struggle with a lack of basic necessities such as food and soap, frequent power outages, high temperatures, and an inefficient public transportation system.
How are the blackouts affecting daily life in Cuba?
The blackouts lead to extreme measures for coping, such as sleeping on rooftops to escape the heat and mosquitoes. They also disrupt daily activities and contribute to overall frustration and anxiety among the population.
What did Ulises Toirac suggest about the Cuban reality?
Ulises Toirac highlighted the struggles of mothers, children, and the elderly, and expressed a desire to find ways to alleviate the harsh conditions, even humorously suggesting packaging the breeze to share it with those who need it.