{
  "id": 6408342,
  "title": "The psychological toll of Cuba’s multiple crises is pushing many islanders to the breaking point",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/the-psychological-toll-of-cubas-multiple-crises-is-pushing-many",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T10:23:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/cuba-power-water-fuel-trump-crisis-a444d13a7567195762ac54f389687c40"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "HAVANA (AP) — The persistent heat, water and power outages, dwindling fuel supplies, crumbling infrastructure, limited public transportation, and weak cell phone connections are taking a severe psychological toll on the nearly 10 million people living on Cuba, with no end in sight as the U.S. energy embargo continues and the country's long-standing economic and financial difficulties worsen. Dr. Yomeidis Felicó Riverón, a primary care physician, noted that before, there was hope, but now, people have lost that hope entirely. As a doctor, she has taken on the additional responsibility of providing emotional support to her patients, who come to her with their troubles and have no one else to confide in. Riverón stated that her patients often cry about their problems, and she has to play the role of a psychologist to help them cope.\n\nTo provide a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life in Cuba, free workshops on making gift bags and perfume have become popular among families. On a recent sunny afternoon, six girls and one boy were engaged in the workshop while their parents sat nearby, attempting to alleviate the stifling heat. The children were shielded from the harsh realities of Cuba, learning new skills and enjoying a brief respite. However, their parents were not so lucky. Dr. Riverón shared that she never tells her son if there will be food or if there will be none, as she prefers to distract him and make him happy. Instead, she encourages him to play and go to the park, promising to return another day. Dianne Tamayo, among the mothers present, also found solace in the workshop and the opportunity to socialize, temporarily forgetting the struggles she faces at home. Her husband is her rock, offering words of comfort when she feels overwhelmed: \"Sit down, breathe... let's put on some music.\" The psychological strain faced by the people of Cuba is immense, with no relief in sight as the U.S. energy embargo persists and the country continues to struggle with economic and financial challenges.",
  "summary": "HAVANA (AP) — Sweltering nights. Water and power shortages. Dwindling fuel and crumbling homes. Limited public transportation and weak cellphone signals. The psychological toll of daily life in Cuba is pushing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}