A significant disruption at one of Cuba’s pivotal power facilities triggered widespread blackouts across the island on Friday, as reported by the nation’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant’s electric grid suffered a “complete disconnection” at precisely 11 a.m., leaving millions in dimmed homes—an all-too-familiar scenario in a nation grappling with recurrent power failures amidst an unyielding economic downturn. The energy agency promptly announced its efforts to rectify the situation and restore vitality to the grid.
In a politically charged environment, lawmakers have vehemently criticized federal adjustments to Cuba’s regulations, denouncing them as a “lifeline to our hemisphere’s greatest enemy.”
As the chaos unfolded, 1.64 gigawatts were reported offline during peak evening hours—approximately half of the island’s demand at that critical time. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, addressing the public during a national broadcast, revealed the deteriorating condition of the energy system. “The situation has worsened in recent days. We must be fully transparent,” he insisted. “We have been forced to pause economic activities to ensure the energy supply for our people.”
Marrero asserted that the nation’s leadership is diligently tackling this energy crisis. He later conveyed on social media, “From the highest leadership of the country, we are committed to resolving this energy contingency swiftly. We will exhaust every effort until normal power is restored.”
Joining him in that somber communication was Alfredo López, head of the state-owned utility UNE, who illuminated the roots of the outage. He cited intensified demand from small businesses, residential air conditioners, the aging infrastructure of thermoelectric plants, and insufficient fuel availability for various facilities as critical contributors to the debilitating situation.
In a bid to manage the escalating crisis, authorities implemented drastic measures, including the closure of schools and non-essential sectors. Most government employees were sent home to conserve the precious resource during this tumultuous time.
As the sun sets, Cubans are left grappling with the shadow of uncertainty, eager for the flicker of light to return to their homes.
