Millions of people were left without power when Cuba’s electricity grid was shut down on Friday after one of the island’s largest power plants broke down. Since then, the power grid has collapsed three more times. On Sunday, a smaller percentage got the power back, before the power grid was shut down again.
Concerns are now growing in Cuba, where many of the country’s approximately eleven million inhabitants have been without power for several days.
The situation risks being further aggravated by hurricane Oscar, which is moving in over the island. The storm has made landfall with strong winds and rain across eastern Cuba, which could complicate efforts to restore power.
The lack of electricity, food and water has caused residents in parts of the capital, Havana, to take to the streets in protest. In the neighborhood of Santo Suárez, people hit pots and pans to show their displeasure.
– We haven’t had electricity for three nights and our food is starting to rot. Four days without electricity, it is unfair to the children, says the mother of three, Mary Karla, to AP.
In San Miguel de Padron, on the outskirts of the capital, roads were blocked with piles of rubbish before the protests were dispersed by security forces.
“Spooky”
According to SVT’s Latin America correspondent Tigran Feiler, residents of Havana testify to a ghostly society. People don’t know what’s going to happen and many wonder where the authorities are, he says.
– This affects everything in terms of everyday life in Cuba. The ruling Communist Party has said all but the most essential public activities are down until Wednesday – no schooling, no local transport.
The authorities have stated that they hope to fix the problems at the beginning of the week, but it is unclear how the work is affected by the storm.
On Sunday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, dressed in military uniform, spoke on national television and warned the population against rioting.
– We will not allow any vandalism and even less that someone disturbs the peace in our country, said Diaz-Canel.
Long-term problems
The energy crisis in Cuba is not new. The island’s limited infrastructure hasn’t received the maintenance it needs for years, and recurring blackouts date back to the 1990s, according to CNN.
In addition, reduced oil deliveries from Venezuela, among others, are said to have contributed to the situation.
The communist regime in Cuba also claims that US sanctions make it harder to get fuel and spare parts for its oil-fired power plants.