Cuba Faces a Deepening Crisis Amid Hurricane Oscar and Nationwide Blackouts
On Monday, the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba’s capital, were eerily quiet as the city remained largely paralyzed, grappling with a massive blackout that had persisted into its fourth night. The entire island braced itself for the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall Sunday. The storm brought not only strong winds and heavy rains but also significant turmoil, leaving at least six people dead and prompting small protests in urban neighborhoods, including Santos Suárez and central Havana.
The mounting frustration among residents was palpable. Some people took to the streets banging pots and pans, expressing their discontent, while others voiced their concerns from the safety of their balconies. A group of protesters, frustrated by the lack of basic necessities, blocked off at least one street with garbage. “The country has completely halted,” shared Mayde Quiñones, a 55-year-old homemaker. She cares for her elderly mother-in-law and remarked, “This hurts everyone, but the elderly most of all.”
A Government on Edge
Cuba's government has a notorious reputation for its low tolerance for civil disobedience. President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation on Sunday, firmly stating, “We’re not going to allow any vandalism or let anyone disturb people’s tranquility.” This stern warning underlined the government’s apprehension regarding unrest, especially in light of the recent history of protests.
The current blackout follows a massive power outage that began on Thursday night, part of a broader energy crisis that has plagued the nation for years. The last major wave of protests in Cuba occurred in July 2021, fueled by similar frustrations over energy shortages. Although there were smaller local protests in October 2022 and March 2024, the scale of the current situation has stirred unrest among citizens once again.
The ongoing energy crisis has become intertwined with a significant economic downturn, which has led to the exodus of over half a million Cubans to the United States, with many more heading to Europe. The Cuban government and its allies often point fingers at the 62-year-old U.S. trade embargo as a primary reason for the island’s economic woes. However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently highlighted that the Cuban government’s “long-term mismanagement of its economic policy and resources has certainly increased the hardship of people in Cuba.”
The Harsh Reality of Blackouts
Power in Cuba has historically been affordable but has now become increasingly unreliable. The government reported generating around 700 megawatts, while peak demand often spikes to around 3 gigawatts. By Monday afternoon, officials indicated that about 80 percent of Havana had intermittent power, but many residents remained skeptical. Small-business owner Juan Estrada, 53, voiced his fears, saying, “We have the fridge full of food, and we’re scared.” His business in central Havana has struggled without consistent power since Friday morning.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy provided a glimmer of hope during a news conference, stating he hoped to restore more reliable electricity by Monday or Tuesday morning. Yet, classes across the island were closed at least until Thursday. Levy also acknowledged the additional challenges brought on by Hurricane Oscar, which had made landfall on the eastern coast, further complicating recovery efforts. Key Cuban power plants, like Felton in Holguín and Renté in Santiago de Cuba, are situated in areas directly affected by the storm.
Daily Struggles
As Oscar weakened to a tropical storm, its lingering effects were felt throughout the island on Monday. Many of Havana’s 2 million residents were forced to adapt by cooking with improvised wood stoves on the streets, fearing that their refrigerated food would spoil. Lines formed outside the few gas stations that managed to stay open, and people waited hours at the few bakeries that could reopen to buy bread, as many were forced to close their doors due to the power outages.
For residents like Rosa Rodríguez, the situation has become dire. She had been without electricity for four days, stating, “We have millions of problems, and none of them are solved.” Desperation echoed in her words as she explained the lengths people must go to just to secure basic necessities, like bread, from distant bakeries that still had some supplies.
The current blackout is being regarded as the worst Cuba has faced since Hurricane Ian struck the island as a Category 3 storm in 2022, leading to extensive damage to power infrastructure. The aftermath of that storm saw days pass before repairs were made, leaving many Cubans in the dark.
Emergency Measures and Public Sentiment
In response to the crisis, the Cuban government announced emergency measures aimed at reducing electricity demand. These measures included suspending classes in schools and universities, closing certain state-owned workplaces, and canceling nonessential services. Local authorities attributed the outages to increased demand from small and medium-sized companies, along with the widespread use of air conditioning in residential areas. The situation worsened further due to breakdowns in aging thermoelectric plants that have suffered from neglect and a lack of proper maintenance, compounded by fuel shortages to operate many facilities.
Energy Minister de la O Levy explained that the national grid could have been in a better state had there not been two additional partial blackouts as authorities attempted to reconnect the system on Saturday. Amid these challenges, he noted that countries like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia had offered assistance to help alleviate the crisis.
Looking Forward
As Cuba grapples with this multifaceted crisis, the resilience of its people shines through. Despite the challenges, the spirit of community remains strong, with many Cubans finding ways to support each other amidst the turmoil. The government’s struggle to manage the crisis has led to increased public scrutiny, pushing citizens to demand accountability and change.
With stormy weather, economic hardship, and dwindling resources, Cuba’s future remains uncertain. The coming days will reveal how the island navigates these tumultuous times, balancing the need for stability against the backdrop of a restless populace seeking answers and change. In a country where hope and despair coexist, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges, yet the resilience of the Cuban people may ultimately lead to a brighter tomorrow.
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