“What little we have to eat spoils,” said Tomás David Velazquez Felipe, reflecting the dire circumstances faced by many in Cuba following a recent island-wide power outage.
This outage left approximately 11 million people without electricity, as Cuba’s national electric utility reported a significant capacity deficit affecting service for 24 hours. This incident marks the third major blackout in the country over the past four months, highlighting the ongoing struggles of Cuba’s aging electricity grid.
The national power grid’s collapse has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of oil shipments since early January amid increasing US pressure. The US has ramped up its efforts by seizing oil shipments bound for the island, further exacerbating the energy crisis.
As crews worked to restore power, they managed to bring electricity back to only 5 percent of Havana’s residents, approximately 42,000 customers. However, the situation remains precarious, with many citizens left in the dark.
Mercedes Velazquez, another resident, expressed uncertainty about the future, stating, “We’re here waiting to see what happens.” This sentiment of waiting and uncertainty is prevalent among the population as they navigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In recent months, Cuba’s government has attributed its energy woes to a US energy blockade, while the Trump administration has openly sought regime change in the country. This political backdrop adds another layer of complexity to the already critical situation.
Despite the challenges, Cuba has received only two small vessels carrying oil imports this year, which is insufficient to meet the island’s energy needs. The lack of resources has led to a significant increase in daily outages and island-wide blackouts.
As public unrest continues to grow due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and power outages, the Cuban government faces mounting pressure to address these issues. The future of Cuba’s energy stability remains uncertain as the nation grapples with both internal and external challenges.
