Cuba faces its third day without electricity as Hurricane Oscar approaches, compounding the devastation from recent energy grid failures. Recovery efforts are complicated by aging infrastructure and ongoing economic sanctions. Many Cubans struggle to access basic necessities amidst the outages, leading to public frustration and protests.
Millions of Cubans are enduring their third consecutive day without electricity following unsuccessful restorative efforts. As of Sunday, the Cuban Electrical Union reported that approximately 16% of the national grid had been restored; however, it soon overburdened once more late Saturday. This situation reflects the third total collapse of Cuba’s energy infrastructure since Friday, affecting the majority of the 10 million populace who have faced continuous disruptions.
The recent power outages in Cuba stem from a combination of factors, including the chronic deterioration of the country’s energy grid, U.S. economic sanctions, and the impact of recent hurricanes on infrastructure. The arrival of Hurricane Oscar, with winds reaching 80 mph, poses an additional challenge as it approaches Cuba’s northeastern coast, expected to exacerbate the already dire circumstances. It is noteworthy that the first complete blackout occurred on Friday due to a significant failure at one of the nation’s primary power plants, leading to subsequent outages throughout the weekend.
In conclusion, the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, compounded by Hurricane Oscar’s impending arrival, has led to widespread power outages affecting millions. Recovery efforts are hampered by the existing infrastructure challenges, which highlight the broader systemic issues facing the nation. Local residents are resorting to mutual aid within their communities, while the government wrestles with the dual challenges of restoring power and addressing public discontent amidst ongoing economic hardships.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
