Amid the dire circumstances in Santiago de Cuba, which remains disconnected from the National Electric System, some individuals have chosen to extend their limited resources in acts of kindness. Daniel Nieto Vega, a resident of the city, reached out to his community through a post on the Facebook group "Baireros por el Mundo," demonstrating a spirit of generosity amidst the energy crisis: "My friends, anyone who needs to charge a phone or lamp, my house has a generator running."
The young man, who appears to live in Baire, a town within the Contramaestre municipality, specified the hours during which people could visit his home to recharge battery-operated devices: "From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and in the evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m." This initiative comes as a lifeline in a province grappling with the fallout from the collapsed electric system, forcing countless residents to find any means possible to charge their essential electronics.
Community Efforts Amid Energy Failures
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared on Facebook that many have turned to state-run facilities, such as the provincial broadcaster CMKC and local hospitals, where either generators are in use or power has been restored, to recharge light bulbs, mobile phones, and fans during the ongoing crisis.
"My sources have photographed the ETECSA offices, the sidewalk outside the local CMKC station, the South Children's Hospital porch, and various neighborhoods where neighbors with generators offer help," the journalist reported. These images evoke the aftermath scenes of hurricanes in Cuba, where citizens often have no choice but to seek out the few places with operational electrical services.
Government's Response to Power Outages
The last time Santiago de Cuba faced a similar ordeal was in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy severely impacted the region. In an attempt to alleviate the current energy crisis, the Santiago de Cuba government announced measures this Sunday, such as selling charcoal and providing affordable meals to support the population, many of whom have endured power outages for up to 60 hours.
Yaneydis Hechavarría, President of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Santiago de Cuba, took to Facebook to outline a series of actions aimed at addressing the situation. Although necessary, these measures underscore the severe challenges the province faces in confronting the current crisis.