In brief
Cuba faces a humanitarian crisis as Hurricane Oscar leaves six dead, extensive damage, and public unrest over prolonged power outages, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the nation.
Hurricane Oscar has left a devastating impact on Cuba, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths, as reported by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. The hurricane made landfall as a category one storm near Baracoa on Sunday afternoon before it weakened into a tropical storm. The province of Guantánamo sustained significant damage with over a thousand homes affected by heavy rains and strong winds. Compounding the disaster, this occurred during a nationwide power outage that left approximately 10 million Cubans in darkness.In a statement, President Díaz-Canel noted that rescue efforts were still underway to reach inaccessible areas, particularly in the intensely affected municipalities of San Antonio and Imías, where unprecedented flooding was reported. The six fatalities were all recorded in San Antonio, with details surrounding their deaths still unavailable. Meteorologists have also cautioned that the remnants of Oscar could trigger localized flash flooding across southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday as it shifts north-eastward.Frustration boiled over among Cubans in the dark, leading to rare public protests against the government’s failure to restore power. Residents banged pots and pans, publicly demanding, "Turn on the lights." This discontent was fueled by prolonged outages and the recent failure of the nation’s largest power plant. President Díaz-Canel attributed the crisis to the tightening of the U.S. trade embargo, while also affirming that the government was committed to restoring power.Local voices of dissent echoed the struggles within the community. One resident described the desperation of his 85-year-old grandmother, who had been asking for cold water since the blackout began on Friday. Another shared her four days without electricity, lamenting the spoilage of food and the hardships faced by children. The crisis compounds the ongoing economic turmoil on the island, which is grappling with severe shortages of food and fuel amidst its worst economic conditions in thirty years.
