Hurricane Oscar left six dead in its wake from Cuba, during a blackout, as President Miguel Diaz-Canel said.
The typhoon made landfall on Sunday 10/20 and crossed the island nation’s eastern coast as a tropical storm on Monday, bringing with it winds and heavy rainfall. The eastern province of Guantanamo has been severely damaged by the storm.
On Friday, Cuba’s largest power plant collapsed, paralyzing the entire grid and leaving 10 million residents in the dark. The blackout sparked protests and a stern warning from the government that any unrest would be punished.
Authorities suspended classes and business until Wednesday, with only hospitals and essential services remaining open.
“Cuba” is a trend because they have been without electricity for more than 3 days.
Which has generated protests in some areas of the island.
pic.twitter.com/WRBLJEE71r— Why is it a trend? (@estendenciavzl) October 21, 2024
In the midst of crisis
Cuba produces only a third of the electricity it needs, so to boost the grid it has leased seven floating power plants from Turkish companies and also added several small diesel generators.
The island is in the midst of a wider economic crisis, the worst economic crisis experts say since the collapse of the Soviet Union, which heavily subsidized Cuba.
🚨| BREAKING NEWS: Cuba rises up against the dictatorship. Shouting “snitches and down with the dictatorship,” patriots turned back a patrol with police in the streets of Havana. The rebellion is starting in Cuba. 🇨🇺 LIKE it because the tyrant doesn’t want this to be seen! pic.twitter.com/qVS8tnKNBL
— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) October 21, 2024
Power has been restored in Havana
Cuba’s electricity grid operator said it had restored power to most of Havana, which has more than 2 million residents, by Monday afternoon.
Residents expressed their frustration over the latest power outage, which paralyzed businesses and caused food in refrigerators to spoil. “I feel like crying, like screaming. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Kenia Sierra.
Dozens of people took to the streets over the weekend, banging pots and pans and chanting “Turn on the lights”.
In July 2021, blackouts sparked an unprecedented outpouring of public anger, with thousands of Cubans taking to the streets and chanting slogans such as “Freedom!” and “We’re hungry.”
#Cuba #dead #Oscar #Power #restored
