On Friday, the entire island of Cuba experienced a widespread power outage affecting its population of 10 million after one of its main power plants failed. The government had tried to conserve energy by closing schools and having most state workers stay home, but the largest power plant went offline causing a grid failure. President Miguel Díaz-Canel has promised to solve the problem, but the duration of the outage remains unknown.
Cubans have been dealing with rolling blackouts for months due to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and rising demand for electricity. The limited supply of oil from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico has further exacerbated the situation. Many residents expressed concern and frustration over the ongoing power crisis, with one resident feeling that the country had reached the “bottom of the barrel.”
The economic crisis in Cuba has been worsened by the decades-old U.S. embargo, increased sanctions under former President Donald Trump, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism industry. Shortages in food, medicine, and fuel have made life difficult for the average Cuban.
The government’s response to the power outage and its efforts to address the situation will be closely monitored, as many residents fear that the electricity crisis may worsen. Reports from Miami and Havana highlight the broader impact of the power outage on the country’s economy and daily life.
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