Cuba water scarcity forces residents to drill private wells

Severe water shortages in Cuba are forcing business owners and families to seek independent solutions, such as drilling private wells, to cope with the lack of running water. In the Matanzas province, restaurant owner Kevin Martínez invested in a well to avoid the high costs of hiring water tankers and to prevent further business closures.

Official data indicates that nearly 29% of Cuba's 9.4 million residents are affected by water scarcity. Yunior González, an official with the national water and sanitation company, stated that approximately 2.7 million people are not receiving water in their homes. The crisis is exacerbated by the country's energy instability, as 80% to 85% of the nation's water must be pumped using electric turbines that fail during frequent blackouts.

Factors contributing to the shortage include power grid collapses, fuel shortages, and broken pumping equipment. The situation has forced many citizens to transport water manually using wheelbarrows, bicycles, or carts, while some municipalities have seen protests regarding the lack of service.