Amidst ongoing power outages and a severe economic and food crisis affecting Cuba, residents are forced to adopt soul-crushing survival strategies that tug at the heartstrings of those who hear their stories. Testimonies shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón reveal a harsh reality of scarcity that demands every ounce of creativity to manage daily hardships. People openly admit to surviving "on their own means," indicating a lack of government support.
"We're managing with our own resources," one interviewee stated in the video. "I didn't bathe last night because of worry and the winds. I'm heating water with wood to bathe and then cook something for my children," he explained. Another citizen described how he copes during prolonged blackouts, which can last up to 20 hours in some areas.
"We salt the meat to keep it from spoiling and boil water in advance. In case of darkness, we use candles or rechargeable lamps and mobile phones," he detailed. In the video’s comments section, some people commend the man for having meat and salt, highlighting the severe food shortages where many lack even a bit of coffee for breakfast.
The power outages disrupt the daily lives of Cubans, sparking fresh protests in the capital, particularly in neighborhoods like El Vedado and the municipality of Guanabacoa. These accounts paint a picture of a population enduring constant shortages and restrictions imposed by the energy crisis and a regime unwilling to relinquish power, subjecting its people to misery and hunger.