Cuba’s energy crisis has worsened, with the national grid collapsing and leaving residents without power, water, and basic necessities. The U.S.-imposed oil blockade has exacerbated the issue, with many residents struggling to access even the most basic necessities.

Life in the Dark

Residents of Havana’s tenement buildings, known as ‘solares,’ have been particularly affected. Frank Alfonso, a 39-year-old resident, sleeps on the roof to escape the heat during the frequent blackouts. However, with the recent rain and grid collapse, he was left without even that respite.

Yunaisi Durruti, a 51-year-old resident, is concerned about the lack of water. Her tap has been dry for a week, and she relies on her parents’ house in a neighborhood with less frequent blackouts to shower, cook, and wash her clothes.

A Community in Crisis

Despite the challenges, the community has come together to support each other. Thalía Castillo, a 28-year-old resident, and her husband, Lazaro Herrera, have been able to access electricity for a few hours a day thanks to a power station sent by Castillo’s grandmother in the United States. However, the power quickly runs out, and they struggle to keep their food from spoiling.

The community has also found ways to come together and enjoy each other’s company, even in the midst of the crisis. On Saturday, residents gathered to watch the Argentina vs. Switzerland World Cup quarter-final match on a television mounted outside, powered by a generator.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.