As Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Sunday, Cuba is experiencing its worst power outage since Hurricane Ian hit in 2022. It has caused significant damage across the island, according to the news agency AP.
The storm has left at least six people dead and has resulted in extensive blackouts that have persisted for four nights. The situation has led to small protests in urban areas, including Santos Suárez and central Havana, where frustrated residents expressed their grievances by banging pots and pans in the streets or blocking roads with garbage.
The impact of the blackout has been particularly devastating for families.Many Cubans are struggling to cope without electricity, resorting to cooking on improvised wood stoves as their refrigerators fail without power.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a stern warning against any acts of unrest, declaring on national television that the government would not tolerate vandalism or disturbances
In response to the crisis, the Cuban government has implemented emergency measures, including suspending classes and shutting down non-essential services. Energy minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged the challenges of restoring power, revealing that the country’s electricity production has been severely compromised.
The government has blamed increased demand from small- and medium-sized companies and residential air conditioning units, along with breakdowns in old thermoelectric plants that have suffered from inadequate maintenance.
News agency AP quoted homemaker Mayde Quiñones, 55, who highlighted the plight of the elderly, stating, “The country has completely halted… This hurts everyone, but the elderly most of all.”
Many Cubans are doubtful about the prospects of a swift recovery, with some lining up for hours to purchase food in the few bakeries still operating.
The prolonged blackout has exacerbated the deep economic crisis facing the island, prompting thousands to flee to the US and Europe in search of better opportunities.
Tropical Storm Oscar moves toward the Bahamas
Hurricane Oscar is now moving toward the Bahamas after dumping heavy rain across eastern Cuba. With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph), Oscar is about 105 miles (170 kilometres) south of Long Island, Bahamas, prompting a tropical storm warning for the central and southeastern Bahamas.
Notably, Oscar is the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field of only about 6 miles (10 kilometres) across. Following its landfall in eastern Cuba, where it reached Category 1 status with winds of 75 mph (120 kph).
