Cuba Faces Blackout and Flooding in Oscar’s Aftermath \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Tropical Storm Oscar caused deadly flooding in eastern Cuba, killing at least six people. In Havana, a widespread blackout sparked protests, prompting government warnings against unrest. With power still limited and recovery efforts underway, Cuba continues to battle a deepening energy crisis that threatens to stall the country’s progress.
Cuba Blackout Recovery Quick Looks
- Tropical Storm Oscar’s severe flooding left six dead and extensive damage in eastern Cuba.
- Havana experienced prolonged blackouts, with residents protesting the lack of electricity and the government warning against unrest.
- President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced ongoing recovery efforts, but many areas were still inaccessible due to flooding.
- The nationwide blackout highlighted Cuba’s fragile energy infrastructure, with thermoelectric plants breaking down from lack of maintenance and fuel shortages.
- U.S. embargo blamed by the Cuban government for its economic woes, but critics emphasize the role of domestic mismanagement in exacerbating the crisis.
- Electricity shortages led to widespread disruption, including school closures and food spoilage, with residents relying on makeshift cooking methods.
- The aftermath of Oscar has complicated Cuba’s already fragile recovery from previous energy disruptions, further straining its infrastructure.
Deep Look
Eastern Cuba is still reeling from the destruction left by Tropical Storm Oscar, which crossed the island’s eastern coast and unleashed deadly floods. As of Tuesday, at least six people had died due to the heavy rains and flooding, particularly in the town of San Antonio del Sur, where rescue operations are ongoing. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, as officials continue to struggle to access flooded regions. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel assured the public that recovery efforts were in full swing, but the storm’s devastation has only worsened the country’s already precarious situation.
Oscar’s path of destruction extended beyond the eastern coast. The storm, which briefly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane before weakening, battered much of Cuba with high winds and relentless rain. Though it disintegrated as it moved toward the Bahamas, Oscar left behind a trail of destruction that has worsened the island’s mounting energy crisis.
Havana, the capital of Cuba, was among the hardest-hit areas, but not directly due to the storm’s rains. Instead, the city endured a widespread blackout that began last Thursday night, plunging millions into darkness and sparking scattered protests across the city. By Monday, only about 80% of Havana had intermittent power, leaving tens of thousands still without electricity. This prolonged blackout, which the government acknowledged as the worst since Hurricane Ian hit Cuba in 2022, has laid bare the vulnerability of the country’s electrical grid.
The energy crisis in Cuba has been festering for months, with frequent blackouts becoming a regular occurrence. Cuba’s thermoelectric plants, responsible for generating the majority of the country’s power, have been suffering from years of neglect, poor maintenance, and outdated technology. In addition, fuel shortages have further crippled the government’s ability to meet demand. As a result, electricity has become increasingly unreliable, with power often being rotated across different regions to alleviate strain on the grid.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated on national television that Cuba’s power output stood at just 1,300 megawatts, far below the 3-gigawatt demand during peak periods. Despite some power restoration in Havana, Levy warned that it would take time to fully stabilize the grid. Schools remained closed, with the government extending closures at least until Thursday as officials worked to restore a semblance of normalcy.
For many Havana residents, the ongoing blackout meant long lines for subsidized food, as well as improvised solutions to prevent their food from spoiling in powerless refrigerators. Some residents resorted to building makeshift wood stoves in the streets, cooking over open flames to preserve what little they had. City resident Carlos López expressed his frustration, saying, “There are lines everywhere you go. You get to a place and there are obstacles and obstacles.”
The blackout also triggered scattered protests across the city, with residents expressing their frustration over the government’s inability to maintain basic services. In response, Díaz-Canel took a firm stance, warning that any protests or attempts to disturb public order would be met with severe consequences. “We’re not going to allow any vandalism, or let anyone disturb people’s tranquility,” Díaz-Canel declared in a national address, signaling the government’s zero-tolerance approach to unrest.
These protests follow a pattern of growing public dissatisfaction that has been building since the historic nationwide protests of July 2021. The energy crisis, compounded by severe economic challenges, has fueled increasing resentment toward the Cuban government. The economic downturn has also led to mass migration, with over half a million Cubans fleeing to the United States and Europe in search of better opportunities.
While the Cuban government blames much of its economic woes on the United States’ 62-year-old trade embargo, critics argue that internal mismanagement has played an equally significant role in the crisis. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently reiterated this view, noting that the Cuban government’s “long-term mismanagement of its economic policy and resources has certainly increased the hardship of people in Cuba.”
Cuba’s power infrastructure has been deteriorating for years, and the failure of the Antonio Guiteras power plant on Friday further exacerbated the crisis. The plant’s failure, compounded by the breakdown of several other thermoelectric plants, left the country struggling to meet even the most basic energy needs. The government initially blamed the blackouts on increased energy demand from small and medium-sized businesses and residential air conditioners, but the situation worsened due to a lack of fuel and maintenance for power plants.
In addition to the immediate damage caused by Tropical Storm Oscar, the storm also threatens to disrupt key power plants in eastern Cuba. The Felton plant in Holguín and the Renté plant in Santiago de Cuba were particularly vulnerable to the storm’s impact, which could further delay recovery efforts.
Cuba’s current energy crisis has reignited tensions from previous protests, including those that erupted in October 2022 and again in March 2024. In each instance, the government’s inability to provide stable energy services sparked small-scale demonstrations, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among the Cuban population. However, despite these challenges, Díaz-Canel has made it clear that the government will not tolerate any form of public disorder or vandalism.
As Cuba continues its recovery from Tropical Storm Oscar, the road ahead looks uncertain. With its energy grid in disrepair, an ongoing economic crisis, and mounting public frustration, the country faces significant obstacles in the coming months. Though some power has been restored, many Cubans remain in the dark, both literally and figuratively, as the country grapples with how to rebuild and stabilize its future.
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