HAVANA — Sweltering nights, water and power shortages, dwindling fuel, and crumbling homes add to the daily struggles of many Cubans. In a country of nearly 10 million people, the psychological toll of life under a prolonged U.S. energy embargo and deepening economic issues is pushing many toward a breaking point, reports BritPanorama.
The situation is dire as residents cope with limited public transportation and weak cellphone signals. Dr. Yomeidis Felicó Riverón, a primary care physician, describes a palpable sense of despair: “Before there was hope. Right now, what people have lost is exactly that.” Her patients often seek her out not just for medical issues, but for emotional solace, transforming her role into that of an impromptu psychologist.
Parents shield children from Cuba’s realities
On a recent sunny afternoon, children at a workshop learned to create gift bags and perfume, a brief diversion from the harsh realities their families face. Felicó Riverón shared her struggle to protect her son from the dire circumstances, saying, “My son doesn’t know if there’s food or if there’s no food.” To shield him, she distracts him with outings, insisting that they will try again another day.
Dianne Tamayo, a mother at the same workshop, emphasised the importance of such moments of reprieve. “When I’m going crazy, my husband tells me, ‘Sit down, breathe… let’s put on some music,’” she said. Their family strives to maintain a facade of normalcy despite overwhelming anxieties about their lives.
Yet the emotional turmoil is undeniable; Tamayo confided she often feels lost, stating, “I do the best I can with the tools I have, but there’s still a moment where I get overwhelmed.” Her poignant words reflect a broader sentiment among many Cubans, with concerns that political and social complacency contributes to their suffering.
U.S. Embassy issues health alerts
The crises have intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement in January to impose sanctions on any nation that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, has reported that U.S. economic policies have resulted in a staggering loss exceeding $8 billion over the past year. This financial strain has exacerbated island-wide blackouts, with outages now extending past 24 hours.
Amid these challenges, the U.S. Embassy in Havana recently issued two health alerts, warning about the precarious state of Cuba’s water supply infrastructure and an uptick in gastrointestinal illnesses attributed to degraded water conditions. Residents contend with serious shortages, forced to confront the growing frustration and risk of disease amid a backdrop of social unrest.
Oscar Joaquín López, an 81-year-old resident, maintains a pragmatic outlook despite his dire circumstances. “Why?” he remarked. “Because it drives you crazy, and nobody is going to drive me crazy.” He and his roommate must act quickly to secure water when it becomes available, often navigating harsh conditions to meet basic needs.
Cubans find solace in family
Armando Lafita, 60, carts flowers through the dilapidated streets of Old Havana, where several evacuees are now forced to sleep outside due to unsafe living conditions. He sells blooms for mere cents, emphasizing the struggle: “Everybody is fighting to survive here. It’s getting harder every day.”
For many, such societal unrest is counterbalanced by the bonds of family. Lafita finds motivation in his 19-year-old son, while the elderly José Manuel Borroto Díaz, along with his 93-year-old mother, draws strength from their companionship. Borroto reflecting on their hardships, remarked, “Our situation is like something out of a movie, but we’re going to press on.”
As crises deepen across the island, Cubans like 90-year-old Lázaro Alfonso Oviedo continue to find moments of levity, attending gatherings to uplift spirits. Through dance and song, they strive to momentarily escape the harsh realities imposed by their circumstances and the sense of struggle against what they perceive as oppressive external pressures.
