Cubans Sleep on Rooftops Amidst Blackouts

Nightly heatwaves and persistent blackouts are forcing residents of Havana to seek refuge on rooftops, porches, and public areas in search of a cooling breeze. For Alexis Milan and his neighbors in Central Havana, their building's rooftop has transformed into a communal sleeping space. Each family has established a personal area amidst water tanks and clotheslines, creating makeshift beds on sheets spread over surfaces.

The challenges are compounded by a US fuel embargo, which has intensified pre-existing power and water supply disruptions. This has led to many, including those along Havana's iconic Malecon seawall, to use the warm concrete after sunset as an outdoor dormitory. They lie on sheets, mattresses, or cardboard, gazing into the darkness or trying to sleep while utilizing the sea breeze.

As dawn approaches, cell phone alarms signal the end of this temporary nocturnal living arrangement. Residents fold their makeshift beds and prepare to head to work, with an uncertain outlook on when these difficult conditions will end. The intermittent hum of generators and the distant sounds of city life underscore the daily struggle for comfort.