In Havana, prolonged nights of darkness have become commonplace, not from festivities but due to persistent electricity blackouts. The Cuban government has labeled the current situation a 'second special period', which feels more like a bureaucratic euphemism rather than a genuine response to escalating crises. Within Cuban households, there's no organized rhetoric; instead, discussions occur in the dark as families struggle to prepare sparse meals, cope with sweltering heat without fans, and face an uncertain future.

The first special period in the 1990s followed the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to widespread shortages including bicycles, long power outages, and food scarcity. Today, over three decades later, the repetition of this crisis appears tragicomic as the Cuban government stands without a socialist bloc to blame or any external subsidies to lean on. Instead, Cubans are confronted with a fatigued economic model that seems intent on perpetuating its own failures in a cycle of despair.

The stark realities faced by everyday Cubans are heart-wrenching. A mother meticulously portions out a small amount of rice to last until the end of the week, a doctor finds his income is less than that of an informal taxi driver, and retired individuals watch their pensions shrink amid relentless price hikes. Meanwhile, public hospitals are struggling due to lack of supplies, pharmacies remain empty, and public transport systems have collapsed, painting a bleak picture of life in Cuba today and raising questions about the country's future as it descends further into crisis.