Millions of Cubans faced ongoing power outages for a third consecutive day as efforts to restore electricity faltered. The Cuban Electrical Union reported that approximately 16% of the population had power restored after the energy grid collapsed for the fourth time since Friday.
Despite some progress, many residents in Havana, a city of two million, experienced intermittent power throughout the day. The repeated failures of the aging power infrastructure have left the country vulnerable, with concerns rising about the impact on daily life and essential services.
The situation was exacerbated by the impending arrival of Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall in the Bahamas with winds of 80 mph and was forecasted to reach eastern Cuba later that day.
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that about 52,000 workers were deployed to restore power, but the hurricane’s impact could complicate their efforts further. The National Hurricane Center indicated that while Oscar was expected to weaken after landfall, it could still affect Cuba as a tropical storm when it moves northward.
Cuba Struggles with Power Outages Amid Hurricane Oscar Threat and Ongoing Infrastructure Crisis
The initial blackout that triggered the current crisis occurred on Friday due to the failure of a major power plant, plunging the country into darkness. Attempts to restore power quickly failed, leading to a second blackout the following day.
This series of outages threatens to worsen the already precarious situation in Cuba, where reliable electricity is essential for water supply and food preservation. The population is struggling to adapt, with many residents resorting to social media to share updates on power availability and coordinate efforts to keep medications cool during outages.
As the power crisis unfolded, residents of Havana faced long queues for basic necessities like bread, resulting in frustration and confrontations over perceived inequities in the distribution process. People expressed their discontent about the lack of assistance from traditional allies like Venezuela and Russia, who have previously supplied the island with oil.
While tourists continued to explore the city, many hotels were running low on fuel for their generators, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis. Reports emerged of chaotic scenes at José Martí International Airport, which was operating on emergency power and struggling with essential services.
The Cuban government has taken measures in response to the crisis, such as canceling classes and advising non-essential workers to stay home. The U.S. embassy in Havana announced it would only provide emergency services for the time being.
Officials have attributed the energy crisis to various factors, including U.S. sanctions, recent hurricanes, and the country’s deteriorating infrastructure. In a televised address, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged that the government had to halt much of the country’s economic activity to focus on restoring power. Meanwhile, health facilities are relying on generators to maintain vital services amid the ongoing crisis.
