Cuba Fights Back from Nationwide Blackout and Deadly Flooding After Hurricane Oscar
Cuba is battling to recover from a devastating nationwide blackout and severe flooding after Hurricane Oscar made landfall on the island’s eastern coast. The tropical storm caused widespread damage, killing at least six people in the small town of San Antonio del Sur.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has announced ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, but some flooded areas remain inaccessible. In Havana, where power has been partially restored, residents are dealing with long lines for subsidized food and basic necessities, highlighting the intensity of the recovery period ahead.
Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall as a Category 1 storm, weakened as it moved toward the Bahamas, but not before causing significant damage across Cuba. Power outages continue to affect large portions of the island, with Havana seeing intermittent electricity. Many residents have resorted to cooking food on improvised wood stoves in the streets, as electricity remains unreliable.
Cuba’s energy sector, already struggling from outdated infrastructure, faced its worst blackout since Hurricane Ian in 2022. The country’s energy crisis is compounded by a lack of fuel and frequent breakdowns in old thermoelectric plants. Cuba is currently producing only 1300 megawatts of electricity, far short of the 3 gigawatts needed during peak demand.
The government has blamed the blackout on increased demand and aging power plants. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy expressed hope that reliable electricity could be restored by Tuesday morning, but power shortages are likely to persist, affecting key plants and delaying recovery efforts.
This latest crisis has added to Cuba’s deepening economic struggles, which have led to widespread protests and mass emigration. More than half a million Cubans have left for the United States, and thousands more have headed to Europe, as the island’s long-standing energy problems and economic challenges continue to worsen.
While the Cuban government attributes the country’s financial troubles to the 62-year-old U.S. trade embargo, the White House pointed to Cuba’s own economic mismanagement as a key factor exacerbating hardship for its people.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of both the blackout and the storm, Havana residents remain fearful of further disruptions. Schools remain closed until at least Thursday, and much of the island is still waiting for consistent power to be restored.
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