Cuba experienced another blackout just days after power was partially restored following a significant failure at the Antonio Guiteras power plant on Friday. This incident led to a nationwide blackout that continued to affect the country over the weekend. As Hurricane Oscar approached the Cuban coast, power was not fully restored, resulting in the fourth blackout since Friday.
Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Cuba’s eastern coast earlier today as a Category 1 storm, producing wind speeds nearing 80 miles per hour before weakening to a tropical storm. Cuba’s Minister of Energy and Mining announced that power restoration efforts would continue, with expectations to restore service by this evening, while the last customers may receive power by Tuesday. In the meantime, only essential workers are required to report to work today, and schools have been closed until Wednesday—an unprecedented measure.
Blackouts are a common occurrence in Cuba due to an aging power grid in desperate need of repairs and unreliable fuel supplies. Venezuela, a major supplier, has halved its fuel shipments to Cuba this year, significantly diminishing access to subsidized fuel. Additionally, Mexico, another key fuel provider, has reportedly reduced its exports, exacerbating an already critical situation as Cuba grapples with economic contraction and high inflation.
In response to these challenges, the Cuban government announced a substantial price increase for energy and fuels earlier this year, with a 500% hike set to take effect on February 1, as the government can no longer sustain its heavily subsidized energy market.
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