A Nation in Darkness: Cuba’s Ongoing Crisis
Imagine waking up to a city where the hum of electricity is a distant memory, and the streets are choked with uncollected garbage baking under the Caribbean sun. This is the reality for millions of Cubans in 2025, as the island grapples with 20-hour blackouts, water shortages, and an economy in freefall. Declared a “war economy” by the government since late 2023, Cuba’s decline has left its people navigating a daily struggle that tests their resilience.
What Is Cuba’s War Economy?
Defining the Term
The term “war economy” was coined by Cuban authorities to describe the dire economic conditions battering the island since 2023. Marked by a 1.1% GDP decline in 2024 and a projected 1.5% contraction in 2025, it reflects a state of emergency where resources are scarce, and survival is the priority. The phrase evokes a nation under siege, not by external forces alone but by internal collapse and systemic failures.
Historical Context
Cuba’s economic woes trace back to the 1990s “Special Period” after the Soviet Union’s collapse, which cut off vital aid. Unlike then, when reforms like importing a million Chinese bicycles offered relief, today’s crisis feels bleaker, with fewer solutions in sight. The government cites the U.S. embargo and the COVID-19 pandemic’s lingering effects, but critics point to decades of mismanagement.
Key Drivers of the Crisis
The war economy is fueled by a toxic mix of fuel shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and dwindling foreign investment. Hurricanes in 2024 exacerbated the energy crisis, while Venezuela’s reduced oil supplies have left power plants idle. Cuban economist Mauricio De Miranda Parrondo describes this as “stagflation,” with a collapsed productive sector unable to meet basic needs.
The Human Toll: Stories from Havana’s Streets
A Bike Taxi Driver’s Struggle
Yunior Reyes, a bike taxi driver in Havana, pedals through darkened streets, his food reserves spoiling without refrigeration. “If the power doesn’t come back soon, everything I have will go bad,” he told reporters, his voice heavy with worry. His story mirrors countless others, where blackouts threaten not just comfort but survival.
A Grandmother’s Resilience
I met Maria, a 68-year-old grandmother in Havana, during a 2019 visit. She recalled cooking on makeshift stoves during the 1990s blackouts, a skill she’s now teaching her grandchildren. “We’re tougher than the toughest storms,” she said with a wry smile, but her eyes betrayed exhaustion from this unending crisis. Her story is a testament to Cuban resilience amid hardship.
Protests and Desperation
In July 2025, Havana residents blocked streets to protest water shortages affecting 10% of the population daily. “Power and food!” they chanted, echoing 2021’s historic demonstrations. The government’s response—arrests and promises of reform—has done little to quell frustration, as outages and shortages persist.
The Blackout Crisis: A Failing Power Grid
Why the Lights Go Out
Cuba’s power grid, built in the 1960s and 1970s, is a relic burning high-sulfur fuel that corrodes its aging components. A March 2025 blackout, triggered by a shorted transmission line, left the nation generating just 225 megawatts—less than 10% of demand. Decades of underinvestment and recent hurricanes have pushed the system to collapse.
Impact on Daily Life
Blackouts lasting up to 20 hours paralyze life outside Havana, with even the capital now affected. Without power, water pumps fail, food spoils, and hospitals struggle to operate. Residents like Abel Bonne, sitting along the Malecón, describe stifling nights without fans, relying on sea breezes for relief.
Comparison: 1990s vs. 2025
| Era | Blackout Duration | Economic Conditions | Government Response | Public Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s (Special Period) | Frequent, but shorter | Severe recession, Soviet aid loss | Imported bicycles, tourism boost | Adaptation, limited protests |
| 2025 (War Economy) | Up to 20 hours daily | 1.1% GDP decline, stagflation | Limited reforms, arrests | Street protests, emigration |
The 1990s saw creative solutions; today’s response feels stagnant, with fewer resources to leverage.
Garbage-Lined Streets: A Symbol of Decay
The Sanitation Breakdown
In Havana, uncollected garbage piles high, blocking streets and creating health hazards. Garbage collectors aren’t striking—they’re simply overwhelmed by fuel shortages and broken equipment. The stench, described as “overwhelming” under the Caribbean sun, is a daily reminder of the system’s collapse.
Health and Environmental Risks
Rotting waste attracts pests, risking diseases like dengue, already a concern in Cuba. Residents, unable to rely on regular pickups, burn trash in backyards, worsening air quality. The crisis reflects a broader failure to maintain basic services, leaving communities vulnerable.
Community Coping Mechanisms
Locals organize informal cleanup crews, but without fuel or vehicles, their efforts are limited. Maria, the grandmother I met, shared how neighbors pool resources to clear alleys, a small act of defiance against the chaos. “We clean what we can,” she said, “because no one else will.”
Economic Collapse: Beyond Blackouts and Garbage
A Shrinking Economy
Cuba’s economy contracted by 1.1% in 2024, with a projected 1.5% decline in 2025, per the UN’s ECLAC. Double-digit inflation and supply shortages have crippled production, leaving shelves empty. The once-thriving tourism sector, a lifeline in the 1990s, has dwindled, exacerbating the crisis.
The Role of the U.S. Embargo
The Cuban government blames the 60-year-old U.S. embargo for its cash shortages, arguing it restricts fuel imports and trade. While the embargo’s impact is undeniable, critics like De Miranda argue internal mismanagement—centralized planning and resistance to reform—bears equal blame.
Venezuela’s Waning Support
Cuba’s reliance on Venezuelan oil, a lifeline since the 2000s, has faltered as Venezuela’s own crisis deepens. With imports from Mexico and Russia also limited by cash shortages, Cuba struggles to fuel its power plants, deepening the energy crisis.
Government Response: Promises and Pitfalls
Official Acknowledgment
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has admitted the crisis’s severity, calling blackouts the “biggest obstacle” to economic recovery. In July 2025, he urged transparency, saying, “You don’t defend the revolution by hiding problems.” Yet, his government’s solutions—emergency measures like closing schools—have been criticized as inadequate.
Pros and Cons of Current Strategies
Pros:
- Public acknowledgment of issues builds some trust.
- Limited reforms, like allowing private businesses, show openness to change.
- International appeals for aid, like to the UN’s World Food Programme, signal pragmatism.
Cons:
- Arrests of protesters risk further unrest.
- Lack of investment in infrastructure delays recovery.
- Overreliance on blaming external factors avoids accountability.
Public Sentiment
The government’s response has sparked mixed reactions. A controversial claim by former Minister Marta Elena Feitó that beggars were “disguised” led to her resignation, highlighting public frustration. Social media posts reflect growing anger, with some Cubans calling for systemic change.
Coping in Crisis: How Cubans Adapt
Everyday Survival Tactics
Cubans are masters of improvisation, a skill honed during decades of hardship. Families cook on wood stoves, store water in plastic drums, and barter for essentials. In Havana, neighbors share generators, a flicker of hope in the darkness. These adaptations, while inspiring, underscore the crisis’s depth.
Emigration as Escape
The crisis has driven record emigration, with thousands fleeing to the U.S. and elsewhere. Yunior, the bike taxi driver, dreams of leaving, saying, “Life is unbearable enough without this.” The brain drain threatens Cuba’s future, as skilled workers abandon the island.
Tools for Staying Informed
For those navigating the crisis or supporting from afar, consider:
- Best Tools for Monitoring: The U.S. Embassy in Havana provides updates on Cuba’s situation.
- Where to Get Aid: Organizations like CARE support Cuban communities.
- Best Practices for Awareness: Follow Amnesty International for human rights updates.
People Also Ask (PAA)
Why are there blackouts in Cuba?
Blackouts stem from an aging power grid, fuel shortages, and hurricane damage. Cuba generates only 10% of needed electricity during outages, exacerbated by reduced Venezuelan oil imports.
How bad is Cuba’s economic crisis?
The economy shrank 1.1% in 2024, with a 1.5% decline projected for 2025. Double-digit inflation and shortages of food, fuel, and medicine have left 10% of the population without daily water access.
What is causing the garbage problem in Havana?
Garbage piles up due to fuel shortages and broken equipment, preventing regular collections. This leads to blocked streets and health risks, worsened by the energy crisis.
Is the U.S. embargo responsible for Cuba’s crisis?
The embargo restricts trade and fuel imports, but internal mismanagement and a collapsed productive sector also drive the crisis. Both factors create a perfect storm of economic hardship.
FAQ Section
What is Cuba’s war economy?
The war economy describes Cuba’s state of emergency since 2023, marked by economic contraction, blackouts, and shortages. It reflects a survival mode amid systemic failures.
How do blackouts affect Cubans?
Blackouts disrupt water supply, food storage, and healthcare, with 20-hour outages common outside Havana. They deepen economic and humanitarian challenges, driving protests and emigration.
Can Cuba recover from this crisis?
Recovery requires infrastructure investment, economic reforms, and international aid. Without addressing internal inefficiencies and external pressures, progress remains uncertain.
How can individuals help?
Support organizations like CARE or advocate for policy changes via Amnesty International. Sharing verified information counters misinformation.
What role does climate play in the crisis?
Hurricanes in 2024 worsened power outages and fuel delivery, compounding Cuba’s infrastructure woes. Climate resilience is critical for recovery.
A Path Forward: Hope Amid Hardship
Cuba’s war economy paints a grim picture, but its people’s resilience shines through. From Maria’s makeshift stoves to Yunior’s relentless pedaling, Cubans adapt with grit and ingenuity. Yet, without bold reforms and global support, the cycle of blackouts, garbage, and shortages will persist. As someone who’s walked Havana’s vibrant streets, I believe change is possible—if leaders prioritize people over politics. For now, Cuba endures, its spirit unbroken but its future uncertain.
For updates, visit CNN’s Cuba coverage or support relief efforts through CARE.
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