UPDATE: Cuba has plunged into its fifth nationwide power blackout of the year, leaving citizens in despair as the country grapples with an escalating energy crisis. The outage occurred at approximately 9:15 AM (1315 GMT) and was linked to an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, the country’s largest, according to the energy ministry’s announcement on social media.
Residents expressed their anguish over the outage, which highlights the severe challenges facing the nation amid its worst economic crisis in three decades. Alina Gutierrez, a 62-year-old housewife in central Havana, voiced her frustrations, stating, “Yet again, we’re going backward. Yet again, a lost day! Anguish and sadness, and for some, despair.” She hurried home to stockpile water, as electricity is essential for pumping water into apartments.
The Cuban government is currently investigating the blackout, which reflects a pattern of hours-long daily power outages and a deteriorating electricity system. These blackouts have increasingly fueled anti-government protests across the island. Just days earlier, on Sunday, five of Cuba’s 15 provinces experienced outages due to grid failures.
Despite efforts to mitigate the crisis, including the installation of 30 solar parks funded by Chinese investments, the situation remains dire. The nation has also turned to renting floating electric plants from a Turkish company to supplement its power supply. However, these measures have yet to provide significant relief.
The ongoing blackouts follow a severe incident in October 2024 when Cuba was left in darkness for days after the Antonio Guiteras plant shut down. With many of the island’s power plants aging—some over 40 years old—Cuba’s energy infrastructure is in critical need of repair and modernization.
This latest blackout is not just a technical failure; it is a reflection of the deepening crisis that affects everyday life for ordinary Cubans. Access to reliable electricity is essential for daily activities, including water supply, refrigeration, and healthcare services. As the country faces mounting challenges, citizens are left to wonder how much longer they can endure these persistent outages.
Authorities are expected to provide updates on their investigation into the outage and potential solutions in the coming days. For now, the situation remains tense, with citizens anxiously awaiting the restoration of power and relief from ongoing hardships.
