In brief
In a harsh reality, millions of Cubans have been left without power for days due to a crippling energy crisis and the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar.
Cuba has encountered one of its most challenging weeks in recent history, marked by a nationwide blackout that left approximately 10 million residents without electricity for several days. Adding to the turmoil, Hurricane Oscar wreaked havoc across the northeastern coast of the island, claiming lives and causing extensive damage. In the capital, Havana, local residents like Yusely Perez have been forced to resort to firewood for cooking after their regular liquefied gas deliveries were suspended for two months."I’ve gone two days without eating," lamented Yusely while preparing yucca chips over a makeshift fire. As the country entered its fourth day without power, frustration mounted as citizens struggled with this new reality of blackouts, echoing sentiments expressed by Havana residents who decried the government's prioritization of tourism development over essential infrastructure improvements.Cuba's Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy attributed the energy failures to the "brutal" U.S. economic embargo, which he claims hampers the import of necessary parts for the aging electrical grid and the acquisition of sufficient fuel. However, the U.S. State Department countered that the energy crisis stemmed from internal mismanagement rather than external pressures.In a recent state television appearance, President Miguel Diaz-Canel addressed growing discontent over the blackouts, warning citizens against protests reminiscent of those from July 2021, which involved significant unrest due to power outages. Despite government assurances that power would soon be restored, the grid experienced further failures, compounding the frustrations of residents.As the energy situation worsened, local economist Ricardo Torres highlighted that Cuba's national electricity production has plummeted, failing to meet 30% of the national demand. Many Cuban communities, especially in rural areas like Aguacate, have become accustomed to living without stable electricity, enduring severe shortages since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.In Aguacate, Marbeyis Aguilera, a mother of three, shared her struggles, cooking on a makeshift stove while facing food insecurity and a lack of running water. "We've had no power for six days," she disclosed, expressing concern for her family as they faced dwindling resources.As the nation copes with the consequences of Hurricane Oscar, which further hindered recovery efforts, Cubans are left anxious over the next potential blackout, highlighting the critical need for sustained investment in the energy sector.
