Cubans sleep outdoors to escape heat and blackouts amid deepening crisis

As summer temperatures soar in Cuba, an increasing number of residents are seeking refuge from the heat and relentless power outages by sleeping outdoors on rooftops, in public portals, and on sidewalks. With household fans rendered useless by the frequent blackouts, many homes have become unbearable ovens.

In Havana, Alexis Miján, a 59-year-old former sociology professor, waits for sunset each day before taking his blind son to their building's rooftop. What began as a necessity for his family due to worsening blackouts earlier in the year has become a communal sleeping area for their neighbors. "Almost the entire building came up here" to sleep, Miján told AFP, gesturing to the makeshift sleeping arrangements on water tanks and laundry lines.

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Almost the entire building came up here to sleep.

The situation on the island of 9.4 million people is described as the most critical in decades. Since January, the tightening of U.S. sanctions and a shortage of fuel have intensified an energy crisis that causes widespread electricity cuts. These outages severely affect not only comfort but also the supply of water, transportation, and other essential services.

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Here we have our little spots divided.

Miján's rooftop is not an isolated case. Across Havana, rooftops, parks, and public walkways are now dotted with people lying on cardboard, mattresses, or directly on the ground. The iconic Malecón seawall, once a promenade for tourists and couples, transforms into an open-air dormitory after sunset, with dozens settling on the still-warm concrete to catch the sea breeze.

As dawn approaches, the few functioning cell phone alarms signal the end of the night. "I don't see an end to this," Miján laments as he packs up his bedding. For many Cubans, a night of rest has become an unattainable luxury in a country grappling with severe fuel shortages and minimal, if any, daily electricity.

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I don't see an end to this.