Cuba is faced with one of its most challenging weeks in recent memory due to a nationwide blackout that left approximately 10 million people without electricity for several days.
Hurricane Oscar battered the north-eastern coast, causing fatalities and widespread damage. In some parts of Cuba, energy shortages have become an unfortunate norm.
As Cuba entered its fourth day without power, Yusely Perez resorted to using firewood for cooking. Her Havana neighbourhood hadn’t received its usual deliveries of liquefied gas for two months. When the blackout hit, affecting the entire island, Yusely had no choice but to adapt.
“Me and my husband went all over the city, but we couldn’t find charcoal anywhere,” she explains. “We had to collect firewood wherever we found it on the street. Thankfully it was dry enough to cook with.”
Gesturing towards the yucca chips frying slowly, Yusely added, “We’ve gone two days without eating.”
Last Sunday, during the height of Cuba’s most severe energy crisis in years, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy attributed the country’s crumbling electrical infrastructure to the “brutal” US economic embargo. He claimed the embargo hindered Cuba’s ability to import new parts, secure enough fuel for power stations, or access international credit.
The US State Department responded by denying responsibility, stating that Cuba’s energy production issues were due to the government’s own mismanagement.
Despite the minister’s assurances that normal service would soon resume, the grid collapsed again shortly after his remarks—marking the fourth breakdown in 48 hours.
At night, the extent of the blackout became starkly evident. Havana’s streets were enveloped in darkness as residents sat on their doorsteps in the oppressive heat, illuminated only by their mobile phones while their batteries lasted.
Restaurant worker Victor didn’t hesitate to criticise the authorities. “The people who run this country are the ones who have all the answers,” he says. “But they’re going to have to explain themselves to the Cuban people.”
Victor was particularly frustrated by the government’s focus on tourism rather than improving energy infrastructure. “They’ve built so many hotels in the past few years. Everyone knows that a hotel doesn’t cost a couple of bucks. It costs 300 or 400 million dollars.”
“So why is our energy infrastructure collapsing?” he asks. “Either they’re not investing in it or, if they are, then it’s not been to the benefit of the people.”
Amid growing unrest, President Miguel Diaz-Canel appeared on state television dressed in the olive-green fatigues of the Cuban revolution. He warned against any protests over the blackout, making it clear that the authorities would not “tolerate” vandalism or attempts to “disrupt the social order.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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