Massive Blackouts in Cuba as Hurricane Strikes
Hurricane Oscar has struck Cuba, where the nation is facing significant power outages due to the failure of its largest power plant. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The island was engulfed in darkness on Friday following the collapse of its largest power plant.
Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Cuba on Sunday, unleashing heavy rain and powerful winds as the nation’s 10 million residents were already reeling from a significant power outage. The storm hit shortly after the failure of the island’s largest power facility on Friday, which incapacitated the national grid and led to a nearly nationwide blackout, as reported. Classified as a Category 1 hurricane, Oscar had maximum sustained winds nearing 80 mph and made landfall in the eastern province of Guantanamo, close to Baracoa.
By late Sunday, the hurricane had diminished to a tropical storm with winds at 70 mph, as indicated by the US National Hurricane Center. They noted that the storm could still provoke substantial flash flooding and mudslides in the eastern regions.
Oscar's arrival coincides with Cuba's efforts to recover from its worst blackout in at least two years, which left millions without power for two days the previous week. Although electrical services were partially restored on Saturday, they reportedly failed again.
The government anticipates power restoration for most areas by Monday evening.
Since the onset of the outages, thousands of families have found themselves without electricity, air conditioning, and even water, as supply relies on electric pumps. Many have resorted to cooking with firewood on the streets as food began to spoil in refrigerators.
Most neighborhoods in Havana, the Cuban capital, were cast into darkness, although some hotels and hospitals continued to function using emergency generators.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated on Saturday that authorities were “working hard to protect the people and economic resources, given the imminent arrival of Hurricane Oscar.”
Diaz-Canel also warned on Sunday that the government would take action "severely" against anyone attempting to "disturb public order" during the blackout.
This warning comes as the hurricane and power grid collapse exacerbate Cuba’s existing challenges with inflation, as well as shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and water.
The crisis has been attributed by the Cuban president to the nation’s difficulties in securing fuel and spare parts for power plants, which he linked to a six-decade-long US trade embargo that has been further tightened by stricter sanctions imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez supported the president’s comments, posting on X that Cubans “appreciate the voices denouncing the US blockade, the main cause of the limitations and damages suffered by our people.”
For many years, Cuba has faced frequent power outages amid ongoing economic crises. In July 2021, notable public outrage followed days-long blackouts, prompting thousands to protest in the streets.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Cuba on Sunday, unleashing heavy rain and powerful winds as the nation’s 10 million residents were already reeling from a significant power outage. The storm hit shortly after the failure of the island’s largest power facility on Friday, which incapacitated the national grid and led to a nearly nationwide blackout, as reported. Classified as a Category 1 hurricane, Oscar had maximum sustained winds nearing 80 mph and made landfall in the eastern province of Guantanamo, close to Baracoa.
By late Sunday, the hurricane had diminished to a tropical storm with winds at 70 mph, as indicated by the US National Hurricane Center. They noted that the storm could still provoke substantial flash flooding and mudslides in the eastern regions.
Oscar's arrival coincides with Cuba's efforts to recover from its worst blackout in at least two years, which left millions without power for two days the previous week. Although electrical services were partially restored on Saturday, they reportedly failed again.
The government anticipates power restoration for most areas by Monday evening.
Since the onset of the outages, thousands of families have found themselves without electricity, air conditioning, and even water, as supply relies on electric pumps. Many have resorted to cooking with firewood on the streets as food began to spoil in refrigerators.
Most neighborhoods in Havana, the Cuban capital, were cast into darkness, although some hotels and hospitals continued to function using emergency generators.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated on Saturday that authorities were “working hard to protect the people and economic resources, given the imminent arrival of Hurricane Oscar.”
Diaz-Canel also warned on Sunday that the government would take action "severely" against anyone attempting to "disturb public order" during the blackout.
This warning comes as the hurricane and power grid collapse exacerbate Cuba’s existing challenges with inflation, as well as shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and water.
The crisis has been attributed by the Cuban president to the nation’s difficulties in securing fuel and spare parts for power plants, which he linked to a six-decade-long US trade embargo that has been further tightened by stricter sanctions imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez supported the president’s comments, posting on X that Cubans “appreciate the voices denouncing the US blockade, the main cause of the limitations and damages suffered by our people.”
For many years, Cuba has faced frequent power outages amid ongoing economic crises. In July 2021, notable public outrage followed days-long blackouts, prompting thousands to protest in the streets.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
