In brief
This week, Cuba endured severe blackouts that left around 10 million citizens without electricity for days, exacerbated by the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar. Many residents are resorting to firewood for cooking, highlighting the dire state of the country's energy infrastructure, while the government faces growing discontent over mismanagement and prioritization of tourism over essential services.
Cuba is currently facing a severe energy crisis, resulting in one of the most challenging weeks the island has seen in recent years. Following a nationwide blackout, nearly 10 million Cubans found themselves without power for several days, intensifying the struggles of communities already grappling with unreliable electricity supplies. Compounding these issues, Hurricane Oscar recently struck the northeastern coast, causing destruction and loss of life.As Cuba approached four consecutive days without electricity, residents like Yusely Perez were forced to resort to unconventional cooking methods. Living in a neighborhood in Havana that has not received regular gas deliveries for two months, Yusely began scavenging for firewood. “We had to collect firewood wherever we found it,” she stated, as she fried yucca chips in lukewarm oil. “We’ve gone two days without eating,” she added in distress.Cuba's Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, attributed the grid’s failure to the “brutal” U.S. economic embargo which restricts access to parts needed to maintain the electrical infrastructure. However, Washington countered, placing the blame on the Cuban government's mismanagement. Despite assurances from the minister that normal services would resume soon, the grid collapsed again mere hours later.The situation at night was particularly stark, as the streets of Havana slipped into darkness. Residents sought refuge on their doorsteps, illuminated only by their dwindling phone batteries. One restaurant worker, Victor, openly criticized the government for its failure to invest in energy infrastructure, claiming, “They’ve built so many hotels…but why is our energy infrastructure collapsing?”Aware of the simmering discontent, President Miguel Diaz-Canel appeared on state television to warn against protesting over the blackout, emphasizing zero tolerance for any vandalism or disruption. These warnings come after the civil unrest witnessed in July 2021 following earlier power outages.The electricity output in Cuba has fallen to alarming levels, currently generating only 60-70% of national demand, leading economists like Ricardo Torres to describe the gap as “huge and serious.” The government admits a 25% production decline since 2019.For residents outside Havana, the situation is even more dire. Marbeyis Aguilera, a mother of three, narrates her life in Aguacate, where power outages have extended to six days. With limited alternatives for cooking and rising food insecurity, the community’s plight underscores the widespread challenges Cubans face amidst ongoing blackouts. Marbeyis expressed her concerns for basic needs: “First, electricity. Secondly, we need water. Food is running out.”As people throughout Aguacate and beyond adapt to life without reliable electricity, the recent hurricane has only exacerbated these difficulties, leaving many to wonder when the next power outage will strike. The ongoing energy crisis highlights an urgent need for investment in Cuba's energy infrastructure, drawing attention to the socio-economic challenges the island continues to endure.
