Amidst one of the worst phases of the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, more than 9 million people are cooking today in precarious, unhealthy, and dangerous conditions, according to the Food Monitor Program (FMP), an independent organization that has been monitoring access to basic services on the island for three years.
The figure comes from the analysis of the latest Population and Housing Census of Cuba and from internal studies by the FMP, which estimate that around 1.7 million households use liquefied gas (LPG), another 2 million rely exclusively on electricity, and about 220 thousand cook with manufactured gas.
The rest of the population is left completely exposed to power outages, gas supply interruptions, or rudimentary means.
Considering an average of 3 to 4 people per household, over 9 million Cubans are facing serious difficulties or total impossibility to cook in their homes, the organization emphasized.
The report indicates that, with power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, families cook when there is electricity, regardless of the time.
Food is prepared in the early morning, meals are eaten cold or immediately, and many people have reduced the number of daily meals.
Before the most recent collapse, 33% of households had already begun to skip meals as a survival measure, while a 25% admitted to going to bed hungry.
The most dramatic scenario is the increase in cooking with firewood and charcoal. Thousands of families, faced with the inability to use electricity or gas, are building makeshift stoves using recycled materials.
These practices have caused house fires and produce highly toxic gases, which the WHO associates with chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and cardiovascular issues.
Women, who are the primary cooks in Cuba, are the most exposed to this risk, which worsens their physical and emotional vulnerability.
The energy situation is a result of an aging system that relies on imported fossil fuels.
Since 2017, as acknowledged by the director of the Electric Union, there has not been enough maintenance provided to the thermal power plants in the country, many of which have been in operation for over four decades, FMP reported.
The “patches” implemented, such as generators and Turkish floating power plants, have not prevented prolonged blackouts, including four total collapses of the national system since October 2024.
Water is also in crisis, as more than 50% of households receive the service in cycles ranging from two to fifteen days, which forces them to store it under inadequate conditions, use electric pumps (which are useless during blackouts), or rely on leaks and hauling.
54% of respondents from the FMP stated that they must purify water before consuming it, and the risk of gastrointestinal diseases increases with the arrival of summer.
All of this directly impacts food security, hygiene, and food preparation, they emphasized.
The report states that the government has chosen to impose restrictions on domestic energy consumption, recommend light meals, and maintain a discourse focused on “resilience,” while normalizing scarcity as part of its management model.
For citizens, however, resistance is not a slogan: it is a daily imposition with no alternatives.
The organization concludes that the energy crisis is part of a broader polycrisis that includes the deterioration of public services, mass exodus, an aging population, and the collapse of productive sectors.
In that context, millions of Cubans live under a reality that not only prevents them from feeding themselves adequately but also from maintaining a minimal stability in their lives.
“In every blackout, in every dawn without water, a part of the right to live with dignity also dims,” warns the report, which calls for looking beyond technical data and focusing on the human drama behind every extinguished stove and every meal that goes unserved.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy and Food Crisis in CubaHow many Cubans are affected by the current energy crisis?
More than 9 million Cubans are cooking under precarious conditions due to the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing. The lack of electricity and gas has forced many families to resort to obsolete and dangerous methods for preparing their food, such as the use of firewood and charcoal.
What is the impact of the energy crisis on the food supply for Cubans?
The energy crisis has reduced families’ ability to cook properly, leading to a decrease in the number of daily meals and unhealthy practices. Many people cook at unusual hours when there is electricity, and a large number have been forced to skip meals or consume cold food.
What risks are associated with cooking with firewood and charcoal in Cuba?
The use of wood and charcoal for cooking generates toxic gases that can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems. Moreover, these practices have caused household fires, increasing health risks for families, especially for women, who are often the primary cooks.
What has the Cuban government done to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has imposed restrictions on domestic energy consumption and has recommended light meals, but these measures have not resolved the crisis. Additionally, “patches” such as generators and floating power plants have been implemented, which have not prevented prolonged blackouts, reflecting ineffective management of the problem.