By Dave Sherwood
In a shocking turn of events, Cuba experienced a second complete blackout as its electrical grid collapsed early on Saturday morning, just hours after authorities announced they were working to restore power.
CubaDebate, a state-run media outlet, reported that the national electro-energetic system was completely disconnected at 6:15AM. The Electric Union is currently working to reestablish the grid.
This comes after the initial collapse on Friday, which left over 10 million people without power. The communist-run government had to send non-essential workers home and cancel school classes to conserve fuel for electricity generation.
Despite some areas seeing lights flicker back on Friday evening, the grid failed again on Saturday morning. The government attributes the ongoing blackouts to infrastructure decay, fuel shortages, and increased demand.
Hurricane Milton’s strong winds last week further complicated fuel delivery to power plants, as key suppliers like Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico have reduced exports to Cuba. Venezuela, in particular, cut its subsidized fuel deliveries in half this year.
The U.S. trade embargo and sanctions have also hindered Cuba’s ability to acquire fuel and spare parts for its oil-fired plants. However, the United States denied any involvement in the recent grid collapse.
Analysis: The repeated collapse of Cuba’s electrical grid highlights the country’s vulnerability to external factors like fuel shortages and infrastructure issues. This ongoing crisis not only disrupts daily life for millions but also raises concerns about the government’s ability to address critical infrastructure needs. As a result, residents may face prolonged blackouts and economic challenges until a sustainable solution is implemented.
