Many Cubans are enduring a challenging situation as widespread blackouts have persisted for a third day, coinciding with the impact of Hurricane Oscar hitting Cuba's eastern coast. The lack of electricity has left residents in distress, with concerns escalating as essential services are affected.
In some areas, such as Santo Suárez in southwestern Havana, residents took to the streets in protest, highlighting the hardships they are facing. The absence of electricity has led to food spoilage, prompting worries about the well-being of children and families.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy has addressed the situation, expressing hope for the restoration of the electricity grid by Monday or Tuesday morning. However, the effects of Hurricane Oscar, despite weakening to a tropical storm, are expected to pose additional challenges to the recovery efforts due to its impact on key power plants in the region.
While some neighborhoods in Havana have seen electricity restored, the majority of the city remains in darkness, impacting not only lighting but also essential services like water supply. Residents have resorted to cooking on improvised stoves outdoors to prevent food wastage.
The recent blackout, triggered by the failure of the Antonio Guiteras plant, has exacerbated existing issues with energy distribution in Cuba. The government has implemented emergency measures to reduce electricity demand, including suspending classes and shutting down nonessential services.
Despite offers of assistance from other countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia, Cuba continues to grapple with the aftermath of the blackout. The situation underscores the challenges faced by the Cuban population amid ongoing economic difficulties.
As the country works towards resolving the power outage and addressing underlying issues in its energy infrastructure, residents remain resilient in the face of adversity, seeking ways to cope with the impact of the blackout on their daily lives.
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