Santiago Residents Turn to Urban Charcoal Production Amidst...

What Happened

Numerous residents in Santiago de Cuba have begun constructing artisanal charcoal ovens within the city. This practice, once uncommon in urban settings, has become a necessary alternative due to prolonged shortages of liquefied gas, kerosene, and electricity.

These improvised ovens are appearing in various neighborhoods, utilizing wood from fallen trees, particularly those affected by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. Eduardo, a 25-year-old resident, built his own oven using abandoned concrete structures and dry tree remnants, citing a lack of alternatives for cooking fuel.

Where and When

The situation is unfolding in Santiago de Cuba, with artisanal ovens appearing in districts like José Martí. The crisis has been exacerbated by prolonged power outages, with some areas receiving only one to two hours of electricity daily.

This has made even electric cooking difficult, driving the need for alternative fuel sources like charcoal. The rise in demand has also led to significant price increases for charcoal.

Why It Matters

The widespread adoption of urban charcoal production highlights the severity of Cuba's ongoing energy crisis. It forces citizens to adopt traditional, often inconvenient, methods for basic needs like cooking, a stark contrast to governmental calls for 'creative resistance'.

Despite citizens' struggles to find fuel, Cuba continues to export charcoal as a significant source of foreign income, creating a visible contradiction within the nation's economic challenges.

What Parties Say

While specific quotes are limited, residents like Eduardo express a sense of necessity, stating they have no other choice given the lack of cooking fuel. The situation reflects a broader issue acknowledged by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who recently admitted that 'creative resistance' strategies are no longer sufficient to address the country's challenges.

The high cost of charcoal, with a can now costing around 800 pesos and a full sack nearing 4,000 pesos, underscores the economic hardship faced by families, as the latter figure exceeds the monthly minimum wage.

What Comes Next

Residents like Eduardo plan to produce and sell charcoal, indicating a potential informal market driven by necessity. The ongoing energy deficit and the slow pace of post-hurricane reconstruction in Santiago suggest that these improvised solutions may persist.

Citizens will need to observe the effectiveness of these artisanal methods, the government's response to both the energy shortages and the urban charcoal production, and the continued impact of these factors on daily life in Santiago.