Cuba experienced a second nationwide blackout on Saturday morning, following initial reports of power being slowly restored. The Cuba Electrical Union announced on their official Telegram channel that a total outage of the national electroenergetic system occurred at 6:15 am, with efforts underway to reestablish power.
While some small pockets of power had been restored across the island, specific numbers were not immediately provided. Social media posts from Cubans indicated that power briefly returned in some areas before flickering out again.
The recurring blackouts pose a significant threat to the communist-run nation, as the lack of power also means no running water and the risk of food spoilage due to lack of refrigeration.
Millions of people have been impacted by the recent power outages, attributed to the aging Cuban electrical grid repeatedly failing. The latest blackout on Saturday followed a previous island-wide shutdown on Friday due to a major power plant failure.
Cuban officials have cited various factors for the power crisis, including increased US economic sanctions, disruptions from recent hurricanes, and the poor state of the island's infrastructure. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged the challenges in ensuring power supply while maintaining essential services.
Health Minister José Angel Portal Miranda reassured the public that health facilities were operating on generators to provide critical services. In Havana, the lack of street lights and minimal police presence created challenges for residents navigating the city.
Energy-saving measures were implemented, leading to school closures, shutdown of nightclubs and recreation centers, and limited workforce attendance for non-essential workers. The situation remains fluid as authorities work to address the ongoing power crisis in Cuba.
