URGENT UPDATE: Cuba has just experienced a catastrophic failure of its electrical grid, plunging the entire nation into darkness for the fourth time in less than a year. The collapse occurred at 9:14 AM today, leaving 10 million residents without power, according to statements from the Energy Ministry and the National Electric Union.
Officials confirm the entire Electric System has been disconnected, sparking immediate investigations into the causes of this latest disaster. Restoration efforts are reportedly underway, but the situation is dire as many Cubans have already been enduring blackouts lasting 16 hours or more daily.
This alarming grid failure follows a series of power outages that have left Cuba’s aging power generation system in a state of near-collapse, exacerbating the country’s ongoing fuel, food, and economic crises. Residents have expressed their frustration and despair over the deteriorating conditions.
“This is crazy for everything,” said Raul Ernesto Gutierrez, who was in Havana when the blackout occurred. He described how, back in the countryside, families must resort to cooking with charcoal and firewood, highlighting the stress and frustration that accompanies such drastic measures.
Similarly, Danai Hernandez, a state worker in Havana, shared her distress as she left work amidst the chaos. “I’m going home to organize everything in the household and now we have to wait. We don’t have any other choice,” she said, visibly upset by the power outage.
Cuba’s power plants, largely reliant on oil, are already struggling due to dwindling imports from key partners like Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. The combination of obsolete infrastructure and a crumbling economy has created a perfect storm, leaving citizens to grapple with the fallout.
As the authorities work to restore power, the focus remains on the immediate needs of the population and the long-term implications of these recurring blackouts. The situation is developing rapidly, and residents are left anxiously awaiting updates from officials.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this breaking story as it unfolds.
