Cuban Energy Crisis Forces Residents to Rely on Charcoal

The U.S. oil blockade has significantly impacted Cuba, leaving millions without access to cooking gas. In Santiago de Cuba, known for being the birthplace of the Cuban revolution, residents of high-rise apartments have turned to charcoal and firewood.

Yusimi Castellano, a resident, exemplifies the struggle faced by many. In her small kitchen, she uses charcoal and kindling made from Styrofoam and plastic to cook. Smoke fills her 18th-floor apartment, drifting toward the city’s historical sites. This method, though harmful to her asthma condition, has become essential for survival.

The residential complex, consisting of five 18-story towers with 120 apartments each, was once a symbol of revolutionary progress. Now, many cannot afford even charcoal, resorting to collecting firewood to prepare meals. This energy crisis underscores the severity of the situation faced by Cuban citizens.