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Cuba Faces Severe Energy Crisis Amid National Blackout and Hurricane Destruction
Cuba has recently been grappling with one of its most challenging weeks in years, marked by a nationwide blackout that left approximately 10 million citizens without electricity for several days. The crisis was exacerbated by Hurricane Oscar, which wreaked havoc along the northeastern coast, resulting in loss of life and significant damage. For many communities across the island, the ongoing energy crisis has become the new normal.
As power outages persisted for nearly four days, residents like Yusely Perez found themselves relying on firewood as the sole source of fuel for cooking. Her neighborhood in Havana had not received its usual supply of liquefied gas canisters for over two months, leaving her with no alternative as the nationwide blackout took hold.
“My husband and I searched everywhere in the city, but we couldn’t find any charcoal,” Yusely shared. “We had to gather firewood wherever we could find it on the streets. Thankfully, it was dry enough to cook with.” She watched as yucca chips sizzled in a pot of lukewarm oil, revealing the severity of the situation. “We’ve gone two days without eating,” she added.
Government and Economic Challenges Under Scrutiny
During this critical time, Cuba’s energy and mines minister, Vicente de la O Levy, attributed the crisis to the “brutal” U.S. economic embargo. He claimed that the embargo hampered the country’s ability to import essential parts for the electrical grid or secure sufficient fuel for power stations.
In response, the U.S. State Department asserted that the root of Cuba’s energy issues lies in the mismanagement by the Cuban government, not in external pressures. Although Levy assured the public that normal power service would shortly resume, another collapse of the grid soon followed, marking the fourth system failure in just 48 hours.
The extent of the blackout became starkly evident at night, as Havana’s streets plunged into darkness. Residents gathered on their doorsteps, illuminated only by their mobile phones as they attempted to stay cool in the oppressive heat.
Some citizens, like restaurant worker Victor, felt compelled to voice their frustration toward the authorities. “The people who run this country have all the answers,” he remarked. “But they will need to explain themselves to the Cuban people.” He expressed particular discontent over the state’s heavy investments in tourism while neglecting necessary upgrades to energy infrastructure.
“They’ve constructed numerous hotels recently, but a hotel doesn’t come cheap; it costs hundreds of millions. So why is our energy infrastructure failing? Either they’re not investing in it adequately, or the investments are not benefiting the public,” he questioned.
As tensions remained palpable, President Miguel Diaz-Canel made a televised appearance donning the olive-green fatigues of the Cuban revolution, cautioning citizens against protesting the blackout. He stressed that authorities would not tolerate vandalism or any actions undermining social order, referencing the protests of July 2021 that arose in response to similar power shortages.
Root Causes and Community Impact
Amid these grievances, the question of resource allocation is increasingly contentious among Cubans. Economist Ricardo Torres from the American University in Washington, D.C., emphasized the need for considerable investment in Cuba’s energy infrastructure, which includes both generation and distribution components. Currently, electricity generation in Cuba falls significantly short, meeting only about 60-70% of national demand.
Data indicates a troubling trend: national electricity generation decreased by roughly 2.5% in 2023 compared to the previous year, contributing to an overall 25% drop since 2019. Torres remarked, “The recent issues with the energy grid have deep, systemic roots; they don’t occur overnight.”
Marbeyis Aguilera, a mother of three, knows this struggle all too well. Living in the village of Aguacate, she has grown accustomed to enduring long periods without electricity. For her, the promise of “normal service” means continued hardship and disruptions.
“We’ve been without power for six days,” she lamented while preparing coffee on a makeshift charcoal stove in her simple home. “The power came on for a few hours last night and then went off again. We have no choice but to cook like this or use firewood to provide warmth for the children.”
Marbeyis noted that everyday life in her village has been significantly complicated by the power cuts, especially in terms of food and water availability. Her husband’s work also hinges on electricity, forcing him to remain at home awaiting assignments. While the government planned to recall state workers, a suspension of non-essential work and schools had to be implemented to prevent another grid failure.
“It’s especially tough on the children,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “When they ask for something, we have nothing to give them.”
Recurring Issues Amid New Challenges
Living without reliable energy supply has become a routine challenge for many Cubans, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with a sharp economic decline on the island.
The stark image of families cooking with firewood and charcoal in the modern context evokes memories of past poverty under the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista, who was overthrown more than six decades ago.
As if the blackout weren’t enough, Hurricane Oscar compounded the situation on the northeastern coast. As the storm made landfall, it brought fierce winds and severe flooding, causing roofs to be ripped from homes and amplifying the struggles in a nation already beset by energy crises.
Though the storm may have passed, the residents of Cuba are acutely aware of the island’s precarious energy situation and know that further nationwide blackouts loom on the horizon.
Source
www.bbc.com