A young woman from Matanzas, Cuba, has once again highlighted the harsh reality faced by thousands of Cuban families due to extended power outages, which in this instance lasted over 12 consecutive hours. "Another night in blackout, we've been without electricity for more than 12 hours here in Cuba. Thank God I have a generator, and I can also help my neighbors charge their phones and lamps," shared Sheyla (@sheyreyes03) in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, garnering over 4,600 likes.
In the video, Sheyla demonstrates how she shares her generator with fellow community members: "As soon as I turn it on, I call them, and they come over. We charge phones even in the bathroom because we use every available outlet to help people," she explained.
Sheyla also touched on the everyday struggles families face during blackouts, such as the lack of cooking gas: "Of course, we cook with our best friend, charcoal, because I've run out of gas. Now it's going to be a hassle to find gas on Facebook," she remarked. Despite the exhaustion, she candidly narrated how they cope with the situation using humor, family conversations, a small fan, and coffee prepared by her mother, which she claimed kept her awake much of the night.
The video sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok. Many praised Sheyla's gesture of helping her community: "What a kind act to share your generator with your neighbors," commented one follower. "I admire your resilience; here in Venezuela, we lose power for four hours, and it's tough," added another.
Yet, there were also critical and reflective questions. One user asked, "Aren't you going to do anything to rise up against that government? Do you plan to live your whole life like this?" Another questioned, "Why force people to live this way?" reflecting the growing social unrest due to the lack of structural solutions.
Enduring Energy Crisis in Cuba
This account is not an isolated case. On Sunday, the Electric Union reported that Cuba was facing a generation deficit of up to 1,440 MW during peak hours. This is compounded by failures in key thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, lack of lubricants, and solar generation that is still insufficient to meet nighttime demand.
Meanwhile, the government promises to add 1,200 MW of photovoltaic generation before the end of 2025, yet current conditions continue to deteriorate. On Saturday, for instance, the country experienced power issues throughout the day, with a peak shortfall of 1,588 MW at 8:00 pm.
Other recent testimonies on social media reinforce this picture of crisis. A young woman visiting the Bellamar Caves in Matanzas reported only partial access due to a lack of electricity, while another content creator showcased her survival tactics using charcoal and soot-covered pots amid blackouts and extreme fatigue in another viral video. The prolonged power outages have also triggered public protests, such as in Bejuquero, Granma, where residents, after more than three months without electricity, took to the streets to demand answers.
Understanding the Cuban Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to a combination of factors including outdated infrastructure, failures in key thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, lack of lubricants, and insufficient solar generation to meet demand.
How are residents coping with the prolonged blackouts?
Residents are coping by using alternative means such as generators, charcoal for cooking, and community support to share resources like electricity and food. Many also use social media to share their experiences and seek solutions.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to incorporate 1,200 MW of photovoltaic generation by the end of 2025, but current efforts have been insufficient to address the immediate needs and ongoing infrastructure issues.