Cuba faces nationwide blackout amid deepening energy crisis
In the face of a deepening energy crisis, the Cuban government closed schools and businesses providing services to non-essential industries on Friday. Shortly afterward, a failure occurred, plunging the entire country into darkness.
6:01 AM EDT, October 19, 2024
The Cuban government closed all schools and universities on Friday and halted the operations of businesses serving "non-essential industry" for three days. According to Reuters, most officials were also sent home. All cultural and recreational institutions and centers will remain closed until Monday.
Only healthcare and food industry workers are expected to report to work today. The government is taking this measure to tackle the energy crisis that has caused frequent power outages in most parts of the country.
In a speech delivered Thursday evening, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero stated that the government has no other option but to "paralyze the economy."
Blackout across the country
"Following the unexpected departure of the Antonio Guiteras CTE, the National Electricity System was completely disconnected at 11 a.m. today," the energy ministry announced on Friday. Due to a failure at one of the largest power plants, the entire country was left without electricity.
Marrero blamed the energy shortages on deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increasing demand. Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attributed the issues to financial and energy "persecution" by the USA, claiming it hindered the "import [of] fuel and other resources necessary."
Millions of Cubans struggle with frequent power outages lasting up to 12 hours. Outside the capital, Havana, some areas can be without power for as long as 18 hours a day.
The island's two largest power plants, Antonio Guiteras, and Felton, are not reaching their intended production levels and will soon be shut down for maintenance. This is part of a four-year plan to revitalize Cuba's deteriorating infrastructure.
