The Cuban government has publicly acknowledged that approximately 2.5 million residents across the island are facing either complete or partial disruptions in their access to potable water as a direct result of power outages. This statement was made by Alexis Acosta, the vice president of the Water and Sanitation Business Group at the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH).
This admission on national television marks a significant shift, as the regime had previously only recognized this crisis on a fragmented, province-by-province basis.
"The situation remains complex due to the contraction in electricity generation. Yesterday, we concluded with 32 percent of the population receiving water supply service either partially or fully, affecting around 2.5 million people," Acosta stated.
In simpler terms, only about one in three Cubans who rely on the public network received a full water supply on Sunday.
Western Provinces Hit Hardest
Havana and Matanzas, the two most populous provinces in western Cuba, are the most severely affected. In the capital, the crisis intensified over the weekend due to simultaneous mechanical failures in the Cuenca Sur and Cosculluela pipelines, which are crucial to Havana's water system.
The root of the problem is structural: pumping stations require 10 to 12 continuous hours of electricity to function properly. This is unattainable when the Electric Union reports outages exceeding 20 hours in urban areas and 30 hours in rural regions.
Electricity Outages Exacerbate Water Crisis
The INRH has documented that power shortages and pumping failures account for 88% of the national water shortage incidents, with drought only responsible for 4%. A staggering 87% of the country's aqueducts rely on the National Electric System, making each power cut a simultaneous water cut for hundreds of thousands of families.
The numbers reported on Monday are not an isolated peak. In early October, the INRH already noted 2.7 million affected, nearly the same figure as in May, indicating that the crisis is persistent.
The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated in September that the actual number of affected individuals could reach 3.5 million.
Underlying Energy Crisis
The ongoing power outages are part of a broader energy crisis that the regime has yet to resolve. In 2026, Cuba received only a single shipment of Russian crude oil, totaling 100,000 tons, which arrived in late March and provided temporary relief for just two weeks.
This Tuesday, the Electric Union forecasted an availability of 830 megawatts against a demand of 2,820 megawatts, resulting in a generation deficit of nearly 2,000 megawatts.
Health Consequences and Government Contradictions
The health implications are severe. The Ministry of Public Health acknowledged a simultaneous increase in cases of dengue, diarrhea, hepatitis, and respiratory infections at the end of September, linking the diarrheal diseases and hepatitis directly to sanitation issues caused by the water shortages. A Cuban pediatrician warned weeks later about the rise in hepatitis and diarrheal infections among children.
The disparity between the real crisis and the official narrative was starkly highlighted on October 16, when Miguel Díaz-Canel, during the National Defense Day, claimed that Cuba had improved its "military and defense invulnerability," while a quarter of the population lacked a stable water supply.
As a long-term solution, the regime plans to install 200 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy to make the water pumping independent from the electric grid. However, this is not expected until the early months of 2027.
Addressing Water and Power Challenges in Cuba
Why is there a water shortage in Cuba?
The water shortage is primarily due to frequent power outages that disrupt the operation of pumping stations, which need continuous electricity to function effectively.
Which areas are most affected by the water crisis?
Havana and Matanzas, the most populous provinces in western Cuba, are experiencing the most severe impact from the water crisis.
What is the Cuban government's plan to resolve the water crisis?
The government plans to install 200 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy to make water pumping independent from the national electric grid by early 2027.