Summary
Highlights
The video opens with a stark depiction of Havana at night, devoid of lights except for car headlights, symbolizing the widespread electricity outages. The capital appears empty due to fuel shortages, forcing people off the roads and leading to the closure of universities and the cessation of garbage collection. Basic necessities are hard to come by, with people sometimes waiting an entire day in lines. The presence of intelligence agents or informants (CDR) in every neighborhood is also noted.
Cuba, an island 150 km from the US mainland, faces a severe fuel crisis. Famous public squares, once bustling with tourists and vintage cars, are now deserted. Cuba's historical reliance on other nations (Venezuela, Russia, Vietnam) for support is highlighted. Importing new cars is nearly impossible due to sanctions and high taxes, contrasting with an average monthly salary of less than $50. Daily power outages, even in 2026, exacerbate the situation. The video explains that the lack of fuel from Venezuela and Mexico, coupled with blockades, has rendered gas stations empty or operating with weeks-long waiting lists via an app, pushing people to the black market for essentials.
Havana plunges into darkness at night due to constant electricity failures, with only a few buildings powered by generators. A national blackout is announced due to the lack of fuel for electricity generation. This leads to chaotic scenes, such as people fighting in lines for basic goods like bread. The historic context of Cuba's revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro, and the subsequent US economic embargo are discussed. This isolation has resulted in a limited economy and technological stagnation. Recent renewed pressure from the US, cutting oil supplies, has intensified the crisis, placing Cuba at a historic crossroads.
Cubans resort to cooking with wood due to the lack of electricity and gas. Water supply is erratic, coming every 15-21 days, necessitating large storage tanks. The scarcity extends to basic goods like toilet paper, with people using newspapers previously. Universities are closed due to fuel shortages, forcing students to study online. Despite a large number of doctors, hospitals also suffer from outages. Garbage accumulation leads to people burning trash in the streets. Digital services are limited, with many popular apps like ChatGPT being unavailable.
The government provides free healthcare, education, and social security but pays extremely low salaries; teachers and doctors earn around $10 a month. Bank ATMs often lack cash, and daily withdrawal limits are set. Government-issued ration cards cover basic necessities, but stores are often empty. A parallel economy exists for those with access to dollars, offering well-stocked stores with imported goods at high prices. This creates a stark divide between the majority dependent on meager government provisions and a smaller segment who can afford goods through remittances or the black market.
The widespread internet weakness means people buy flash drives loaded with movies and content, bypassing online streaming. Cinemas show old films, and screenings can be cancelled due to power outages, with no refunds. Classic cars from the 1950s and 60s are still prevalent, maintained by local mechanics resourceful in finding or crafting spare parts. The housing crisis is severe, with families moving into abandoned houses or being relocated by the government to temporary shelters in places like gyms after their homes collapse. Water scarcity, caused by a lack of oil for pumps, further complicates daily life.
The presence of a massive Russian embassy indicates ongoing international ties. Government billboards often display anti-American slogans, blaming the US blockade for Cuba's problems. While there are no surveillance cameras, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) traditionally monitored neighborhoods for adherence to socialist principles, though their influence is waning as people focus on survival. The black market plays a crucial role in currency exchange, with rates significantly higher than official ones. The video concludes by questioning whether Cuba will remain a relic of the Cold War or if a new chapter is on the horizon, as 60 years of US-Cuba tensions have yielded little change for the average citizen.