UPDATE: Cuba has plunged into its fifth nationwide power blackout of the year, leaving citizens in despair as the crisis escalates. The outage struck at approximately 9:15 AM local time today, with officials confirming a “total disconnection” of the national electricity system. The energy ministry announced the blackout may be linked to an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant.
This latest blackout highlights the severe economic turmoil gripping the island, now facing its worst crisis in three decades. Residents are accustomed to long hours without electricity, exacerbated by frequent system breakdowns and a critical fuel shortage. The situation has become dire, prompting citizens like Alina Gutierrez, a 62-year-old housewife, to express her anguish. “Yet again, we’re going backward. Yet again, a lost day! Anguish and sadness, and for some, despair,” she shared while rushing to stockpile water in central Havana.
The Antonio Guiteras plant is the largest among Cuba’s aging fleet of oil-fired power facilities, many over 40 years old. Just last Sunday, five of the island’s 15 provinces experienced prolonged outages due to grid failures. In October 2024, Cuba endured days of darkness following another shutdown of this critical facility.
Despite efforts to mitigate these issues by installing 30 solar parks with assistance from China, the initiative has yet to make a significant impact. The government has sought help from a Turkish company to provide floating electric plants, but the ongoing struggle to secure fuel for essential services—including ambulances and public transportation—remains a pressing concern.
As the blackouts continue, they have sparked rare anti-government protests, reflecting the frustration of a populace facing unprecedented disruptions to their daily lives. With many families relying on electricity to pump water into their homes, the urgency of the situation is palpable.
Authorities are currently investigating the latest outage, but residents are left anxiously wondering how long this blackout will last. With each incident deepening the crisis, the future remains uncertain for the people of Cuba.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.
