All of Cuba was left without electricity due to a major disaster

Havana. Photo: Atlantide Phototravel

In Cuba, on Friday there was an accident at one of the main power plants, as a result of which the entire country was left without power supply.

Source: “Radio Liberty” with reference to the Cuban Ministry of Energy

Details: The accident occurred at the Antonio Gutierrez thermal power plant in the city of Matanzas and led to a failure in the national power grid.

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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on the social network X that work is underway to restore power supply, but it is not yet known when it will end.

The island’s 10 million people have been advised to switch to strict electricity saving mode. All workers, except for the emergency services, were sent home. Schools and universities are closed until at least Sunday. Entertainment centers and almost all commerce are also closed.

The publication reports that power outages are not unusual in Cuba. Their reason is outdated equipment at power plants and energy hubs, as well as lack of fuel. The United States banned fuel and equipment exports to Cuba back in the Cold War, and the main suppliers – Venezuela, Mexico and Russia – have reduced their supplies in recent years. Because of this, Cuba has to buy fuel at much higher prices on the spot market, despite the fact that the country’s economy is close to bankruptcy.