Cuban artist and activist Kiriam Gutiérrez Pérez has brought attention to enduring 96 hours without electricity or water at her home in Havana, Cuba. In a brief post on her Facebook profile, this prominent advocate for LGBTIQA+ rights detailed her struggles following the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael, which has further exacerbated the island's energy crisis.
"The food we had has spoiled. It is incredibly challenging when there are elderly and children in need of specific foods, and when health relies on hygiene and water to clean affected areas. I feel ashamed when I think of the far worse situations my fellow Cubans suffer, but this is my reality, and it weighs heavily on my soul," Gutiérrez shared.
She also offered a personal reflection in her message: "I used to only fear aging in Cuba; now I'm convinced that living and growing up here is also a nightmare. It's not the hurricane, it's the catastrophe we've lived through for many years now," she expressed.
Gutiérrez, who has faced discrimination from State Security due to her activism and sexual orientation, is responsible for caring for her mother, an elderly woman who relies on her support.
The Impact of Hurricane Rafael
In Havana, Hurricane Rafael, with winds reaching up to 175 km/h, caused severe rain, flooding in low-lying areas, structural collapses of deteriorated buildings, and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
The cyclone's powerful winds, which swept across the western part of the island on November 6, also led to the disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN) and the toppling of six high-voltage towers on the Havana-Artemisa highway, further complicating the restoration of electricity across the nation.
Electricity is gradually being restored to Havana households as technicians from the Electric Company assess the country's fragile infrastructure for recovery.