Belizean Med Students in Cuba Struggle Through Deepening Hardships

Last night, we brought you the story of a worried father who hadn’t heard from his son studying in Cuba for nearly a full day. Severe fuel shortages, rolling blackouts, and major disruptions to basic services have made it harder than ever for families to stay connected with loved ones on the island. Tonight, we hear directly from one of those Belizean medical students living through those challenges, trying to focus on his studies while navigating life in a country where even on the best days, nothing comes easy. Shane Williams has tonight’s story.

 

Shane Williams Reporting…

Beverly Williams walked away from a comfortable life in Dangriga to chase her dream of studying medicine in Cuba. She knew the move would mean discomfort, limited access to basic goods and a break from the constant buzz of social media. But nothing could prepare her, or the other twenty‑seven Belizean students on the island, for the level of hardship they’re facing now, as intensified U.S. pressure further strains Cuba’s already struggling economy. Internet service is so unreliable that an on‑camera interview or even a quick video message is nearly impossible. Still, Williams managed to send us a text, one rare connection, sharing what life is like on the ground right now.

 

“The ongoing power outages and fuel shortage in Cuba have deeply impacted my daily life. I was initially renting outside, but due to the constant outages, which can last anywhere from eight to twelve hours, I had to move back to my school residence. The lack of electricity had made even basic tasks difficult especially since I rely on an electric stove to cook. When there’s no power, I can’t cook. Thankfully, the school has done its best to keep us supplied with electricity so far. They’ve connected the residence to the hospital’s power circuit, which is prioritized, ensuring we have some continuity. But it is uncertain how long that will last. However, not everyone is so fortunate. In some parts of Cuba, people are enduring twelve to eighteen hours without power.”

 

Williams says as bad as things are now, she fears the worst is ahead and believes they may soon be fully disconnected from the world outside of Cuba.

 

The scarcity of fuel is also having a profound effect on the prices of transportation and essential goods like food and toiletries. With transportation becoming harder, getting supplies has become a challenge, and everything has gotten more expensive. The poor connection already makes it difficult to stay in touch with loved ones, and as the situation worsens, that fear of complete disconnection becomes more imminent.

 

 

 

It’s hard to know what the future holds, but the fear of things worsening is very real. If we don’t secure more fuel soon, we’ll likely face even longer power outages, and with it, the possibility of not being able to contact family, attend school, or cook meals.

 

For Williams and the other students, the one bit of reassurance comes from the Government of Belize and the Belize Embassy in Cuba, which have assured them that their health and safety remain a top national priority.

 

“Despite all this, it’s reassuring to know that the ambassador is staying in constant communication, checking in to ensure our well-being. But even with this support, we can’t help but wonder: How much longer can we hold out? The future feels uncertain, and the growing shortage of resources casts a dark shadow over what’s to come. But i am trying to remain hopeful that all will be well.”

 

 

 

Shane Williams for News Five.