Cuba Struggles with Nationwide Power Outage

havana - Cuba is facing a severe electricity crisis as the entire island is plunged into darkness due to a major power outage.

The national electricity grid in Cuba has failed, leaving the entire island without power. The government had already closed schools and non-essential industries earlier in the day to preserve the power supply, but the main power plant in the country stopped functioning completely around noon. As a result, approximately 10 million people are now without electricity. Authorities are uncertain about the timeline for resolving the issue.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attributes the recent series of power outages to a 'perfect storm': an outdated network, increasing demand for electricity, and severe fuel shortages. Cuba is receiving fewer fuel shipments from countries like Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia, as these nations prioritize their own resources. Additionally, the country is facing challenges due to American sanctions. Moreover, fuel-carrying vessels have had difficulty reaching the island in recent weeks due to strong winds following Hurricane Milton.

Marrero had delivered a televised address on the power crisis on Thursday, but the disruptions caused by the outage led to significant delays in his speech.