Cuba is grappling with a severe electricity crisis, experiencing two nationwide blackouts in the span of 24 hours, leaving millions of people without power and impacting essential services like hospitals and critical infrastructure. The island nation’s power grid collapsed for the second time on Saturday, plunging the country into darkness.
The first collapse occurred on Friday, leaving 10 million people without electricity for over 12 hours. This was followed by another complete shutdown on Saturday, forcing the capital city of Havana to operate without traffic lights, plunging businesses into darkness, and creating long queues at state-subsidized shops for basic necessities.
Cuba’s top electricity official, Lázaro Guerra, has acknowledged the crisis and stated that the state-run grid operator, UNE, is working tirelessly to restore power. However, the situation remains precarious, and the extent of the damage to the grid is unclear.
The government blames the crisis on a combination of factors, including aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and a surge in electricity demand. The situation has been exacerbated by the US trade embargo and sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump, which have hampered Cuba’s ability to obtain fuel and spare parts for its power plants.
Fuel deliveries to the island have plummeted this year as Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico – once key suppliers – have reduced their exports. The recent Hurricane Milton has further complicated matters, making it difficult to transport scarce fuel from offshore sources.
The ongoing blackouts are a stark reminder of the economic hardships faced by Cuba, highlighting the country’s struggles with infrastructure, energy production, and economic sanctions. As the government continues to grapple with the crisis, the impact on the daily lives of Cubans remains significant.