Hurricane Oscar Strikes Eastern Cuba Amid Widespread Power Outages

Havana, The Gulf Observer: Hurricane Oscar made landfall in eastern Cuba near the city of Baracoa on Monday, bringing winds of nearly 80 mph (130 km/h) as the island grapples with the third consecutive day of a near-nationwide power outage. The US National Hurricane Center warned that the Category 1 storm could trigger flash floods and mudslides in the eastern region.

The power crisis began on Friday when the island’s largest power plant, the Antonio Guiteras facility in Matanzas, went offline, plunging 10 million people into darkness. Partial electricity restoration efforts on Saturday were short-lived, with further collapses leaving most of the island without power. Energy and Mining Minister Vicente de la O Levy has promised that power will be restored to most areas by Monday night, with the final customers expected to have service by Tuesday.

The ongoing outages have severely impacted daily life across Cuba. Without electricity, many homes are without water, food is spoiling in refrigerators, and families are resorting to cooking with firewood. Schools, businesses, and non-essential services have been closed, while hospitals face increasing strain amid the continuing blackout.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation on Saturday, assuring citizens that authorities in the eastern regions were “working hard to protect the people and economic resources” in anticipation of Hurricane Oscar’s arrival. The president attributed the island’s fragile energy system to the long-standing U.S. embargo, which he claims has prevented Cuba from obtaining necessary supplies and replacement parts. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reiterated this stance, stating that “if the embargo is lifted, there will be no blackouts.”

Cuba has also faced a significant reduction in fuel shipments from Venezuela, exacerbating the power crisis. The government has urged non-essential workers to stay home to conserve electricity, and nightclubs and non-vital services have been suspended.

For many Cubans, the situation has become unbearable. Eloy Fon, an 80-year-old Havana resident, described the situation as “crazy,” noting the severe fragility of Cuba’s energy system. “We have no reserves, there is nothing to sustain the country,” he told AFP. Bárbara López, a 47-year-old digital content creator, expressed frustration over her inability to work due to the outages. “It’s the worst I’ve seen in 47 years,” she remarked.

As Cuba contends with both the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar and a nationwide power crisis, patience is wearing thin, with widespread concerns over the country’s capacity to withstand such challenges.