The island's electricity grid failure has triggered protests, while citizens face escalating hardships as conditions worsen ahead of the hurricane's landfall.
Cuba's Power Recovery Plans Amid Hurricane Oscar Threat
Cuba's Power Recovery Plans Amid Hurricane Oscar Threat
As Hurricane Oscar approaches and power outages leave millions in the dark, Cuban officials pledge restoration by Monday.
Cuba's government announced that power should be restored to most of the country by Monday night, just as Hurricane Oscar approaches the island. The storm, packing winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), is expected to hit the eastern coast, intensifying the situation after a widespread electrical failure left approximately 10 million people without power over the weekend.
Crisis loomed large on Friday when the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas, the island's largest, went offline at around 11:00 local time. Initial power restoration attempts were made Saturday, but the grid failed overnight, leaving many residents grappling with disrupted daily life. With schools, businesses, and non-essential activities halted until Monday, people are resorting to cooking with firewood as food in refrigerators begins to spoil. The lack of power also means disrupted water supply in many homes due to reliance on electric pumps.
Frustrations grew rapidly among citizens, who took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction. Residents expressed concerns about the potential for severe flooding and mudslides accompanying the hurricane, especially with the precarious state of Cuba's already fragile energy infrastructure, which has been exacerbated by fuel shortages and aging equipment.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel emphasized efforts to safeguard citizens and economic resources ahead of the hurricane's impact. The government has faced criticism from both citizens and officials; Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy indicated that restoring full power might take until Tuesday due to the storm's approach.
The ongoing crisis has spurred discussions about the impact of the U.S. embargo. President Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez pointed fingers at the embargo as a significant hurdle in obtaining necessary supplies and parts for repairs. Many citizens echoed sentiments of helplessness and frustration, with some stating they have never experienced such a dire electrical situation in decades.
As previous protests in July 2021 for similar blackouts demonstrated, citizens are growing bolder in expressing their grievances against the government, igniting fear of potential unrest as conditions further decline. The government is mindful that the public's patience is wearing thin, planting seeds for possible demonstrations similar to those seen earlier this year when hundreds protested in Santiago over chronic blackouts and food shortages.
Meanwhile, officials, including Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, acknowledged that deteriorating infrastructure and fuel shortages significantly contributed to the current energy crisis. The head of the National Electric Union (UNE) admitted that the island has been grappling with challenging power supply situations due to continuous shortages.
As Hurricane Oscar looms, the urgency to restore electricity has never been greater, leaving many wondering how the government will navigate these turbulent times while addressing the underlying issues that have plagued the island for years.
Crisis loomed large on Friday when the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas, the island's largest, went offline at around 11:00 local time. Initial power restoration attempts were made Saturday, but the grid failed overnight, leaving many residents grappling with disrupted daily life. With schools, businesses, and non-essential activities halted until Monday, people are resorting to cooking with firewood as food in refrigerators begins to spoil. The lack of power also means disrupted water supply in many homes due to reliance on electric pumps.
Frustrations grew rapidly among citizens, who took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction. Residents expressed concerns about the potential for severe flooding and mudslides accompanying the hurricane, especially with the precarious state of Cuba's already fragile energy infrastructure, which has been exacerbated by fuel shortages and aging equipment.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel emphasized efforts to safeguard citizens and economic resources ahead of the hurricane's impact. The government has faced criticism from both citizens and officials; Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy indicated that restoring full power might take until Tuesday due to the storm's approach.
The ongoing crisis has spurred discussions about the impact of the U.S. embargo. President Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez pointed fingers at the embargo as a significant hurdle in obtaining necessary supplies and parts for repairs. Many citizens echoed sentiments of helplessness and frustration, with some stating they have never experienced such a dire electrical situation in decades.
As previous protests in July 2021 for similar blackouts demonstrated, citizens are growing bolder in expressing their grievances against the government, igniting fear of potential unrest as conditions further decline. The government is mindful that the public's patience is wearing thin, planting seeds for possible demonstrations similar to those seen earlier this year when hundreds protested in Santiago over chronic blackouts and food shortages.
Meanwhile, officials, including Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, acknowledged that deteriorating infrastructure and fuel shortages significantly contributed to the current energy crisis. The head of the National Electric Union (UNE) admitted that the island has been grappling with challenging power supply situations due to continuous shortages.
As Hurricane Oscar looms, the urgency to restore electricity has never been greater, leaving many wondering how the government will navigate these turbulent times while addressing the underlying issues that have plagued the island for years.
