In Cuba, waking up to a home filled with electricity is no longer just a daily occurrence; it's often seen as a 'privilege.' This sentiment was captured in a recent TikTok video posted by user @brianna4258, a resident of Matanzas, who shared her joy after a night free from power outages. "I woke up full of energy because I could sleep all night with a cool breeze," she begins in the video, showcasing an old fan she affectionately calls her "loyal friend through thick and thin."
The availability of electricity, a basic and routine resource in many countries, transformed her day: she cooked "some chicken to make yellow rice," took the opportunity to wash clothes with a washing machine she thought was beyond repair, and spent quality time with her baby, who enjoyed children's songs because there was still power. Although the tone is warm and domestic, the underlying message is telling. "I was feeding my baby while he could listen to his children's songs," she recounts. With a touch of hopeful resignation, she adds, "And as you all know, living in Cuba, having power for 24 hours is unheard of."
Indeed, it didn't last. By the day's end, her video shows a return to the usual darkness: "Look how the day ended: eating by the light of a rechargeable bulb. My happiness was short-lived!" The story resonated widely, not because it was unusual, but because it reflects the everyday struggle of countless Cubans for whom a morning with electricity has become exceptional and worth celebrating.
The video sparked reactions of solidarity, understanding, and sadness from different corners of the globe. Many users, particularly from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, shared similar experiences, though most were struck by what is considered normal in Cuba. One user questioned why the service is so frequently interrupted, to which Brianna replied, "Because there's no fuel to supply the thermoelectric plants."
Brianna's post coincided with another critical period for Cuba's national electrical system. Last Tuesday, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported a generation deficit of 1,320 MW, caused by a lack of fuel, breakdowns in several thermoelectric units, and simultaneous maintenance work. The disruptions spread across the country, including Havana, where rotating blackouts were implemented. The situation was so dire that even the planned reactivation of Nuevitas Unit 6 couldn't alleviate the situation.
Brianna's experience is far from unique. Just weeks ago, another Cuban mother documented on TikTok her survival after 48 hours without electricity: cooking with charcoal, sleeping under a mosquito net, and relying on a neighbor's generator to charge her phone. The video drew attention for highlighting the forced adaptation that many families endure.
In another account shared days earlier, the same woman described a domestic accident involving her son, whom she took to the hospital only to find there were no scissors or scalpels available. Washing clothes by hand due to lack of power and preparing a simple meal with the little she could buy at a fair, she ended her day with a mix of exhaustion and hope. The absence of medical supplies and basic services marked every moment of her day.
The hardship of life without electricity has even been addressed by the official press. The newspaper Girón published a photo report showing families cooking outdoors with makeshift stoves and utensils. The attempt to romanticize the situation was harshly criticized on social media, where many Cubans saw it as mocking their real-life hardships.
On national television, journalist Abdiel Bermúdez confirmed what many already knew from personal experience: with gas and charcoal scarce, some resort to using doors, windows, and scraps of wood as firewood for cooking. The high cost and limited availability of charcoal have pushed people to such extremes.
In this context of structural scarcity, Brianna's testimony becomes even more poignant. Her simple morning happiness highlights the extent of Cuba's decline. What would be routine anywhere else—sleeping with a fan, washing clothes, cooking, and listening to music—is in Cuba a cause for gratitude, excitement, and viral content.
In today's Cuba, essentials have become luxuries, and waking up with electricity is no longer the norm but the exception.
Understanding Cuba's Electricity Crisis
Why are power outages so frequent in Cuba?
Cuba experiences frequent power outages due to a lack of fuel for thermoelectric plants, breakdowns in several units, and simultaneous maintenance activities.
How did Brianna's video gain attention?
Brianna's video gained attention by highlighting the everyday struggles of Cubans, turning her simple joy of waking up with electricity into a relatable and viral story.
What alternatives do Cubans have during power outages?
During power outages, some Cubans resort to cooking with charcoal or wood, often using doors or windows as firewood due to the scarcity and high cost of charcoal.