In brief
On Friday, Cuba experienced a severe nationwide blackout caused by the failure of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, officials reported. The collapse of the power grid occurred at around 11:00 AM local time, with no immediate timeframe for restoration provided by energy ministry officials. This blackout comes against the backdrop of recent lengthy power outages across the island, leading Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to declare an "energy emergency" on Thursday.
In response to the situation, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez emphasized that restoring power is now his "absolute priority," while the Ministry of Energy announced that all schools and nonessential businesses, including nightclubs, would remain shut until Monday. Citizens are encouraged to conserve electricity by turning off high-energy appliances, such as refrigerators and ovens, particularly during peak hours. During a televised address, Marrero attributed the blackouts to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increased demand. He pointed to fuel scarcity as a crucial factor in the ongoing energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the island's faltering economy—its worst since the Soviet Union's collapse over three decades ago.The situation has triggered alarms within the government regarding public order, reminiscent of the widespread protests that erupted in July 2021 due to similar blackouts. With many homes relying on electric pumps for water, the outages also result in water shortages, further straining the daily lives of Cuban citizens.Cuba’s long-standing economic challenges, coupled with these power failures, have led to growing public frustration. Recent months have seen increased willingness among citizens to voice their grievances, evidenced by protests in Santiago over chronic outages and food shortages. As Cuba navigates this crisis, the government faces mounting pressure from both its citizens and the international community to address the root causes of the energy failures.
