Many Cubans are facing challenges due to a prolonged power outage following a country-wide blackout. The situation has been exacerbated by the impact of Hurricane Oscar, which hit Cuba’s eastern coast with heavy wind and rain. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy expressed hope that the electricity grid would be restored by Monday or Tuesday morning, but acknowledged that the storm would pose additional challenges to the recovery efforts.
Key power plants in the affected region, such as Felton in Holguín and Renté in Santiago de Cuba, have been impacted by the storm. Reports of rain, thunderstorms, and strong swells have been coming in from the eastern provinces, with damage to roofs and walls reported in some areas. While no deaths have been reported thus far, the situation remains dire for many Cubans.
In Havana, some neighborhoods have had electricity restored, but most of the city remains in darkness. The blackout has had a significant impact beyond lighting, affecting services like water supply that rely on electricity to operate pumps. As a result, people have been forced to cook on improvised wood stoves and are facing challenges with food spoilage due to lack of refrigeration.
One mother, Ylenis de la Caridad Napoles, expressed her desperation at the situation, highlighting the emotional toll the blackout has taken on families. The failure of the Antonio Guiteras plant on Friday led to the collapse of the entire electricity system, revealing underlying issues with energy distribution in the country.
The blackout, which is considered the worst in Cuba in two years, has prompted emergency measures to reduce electricity demand. These measures include suspending school and university classes, shutting down state-owned workplaces, and canceling nonessential services. The government is working to address the breakdowns in old thermoelectric plants and fuel shortages that have contributed to the crisis.
Despite offers of assistance from countries like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia, Cuba continues to grapple with the aftermath of the blackout and the challenges posed by Hurricane Oscar. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region, further complicating recovery efforts.
As Cubans endure these challenges, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and arduous. The resilience of the Cuban people will be tested in the days and weeks ahead as they work to rebuild and restore normalcy in the face of adversity.
