Late on October 18 the Cuban government celebrated the “gradual” restoration of electrical service. But at 6:15 am on the 19th “the state-owned Empresa Eléctrica de La Habana announced the total disconnection of the National Electric System had occurred again.”[1]
“There have been weeks of worsening blackouts, often lasting 10-20 hours, across much of the island, which Cuba’s government has blamed on deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand. Strong winds that began with Hurricane Milton last week had also made it harder to deliver scarce fuel from boats offshore, officials have said.”
“Fuel deliveries to the island have dropped off significantly this year, as Venezuela, Russia and Mexico, once leading suppliers, have reduced their exports to Cuba. Venezuela slashed its deliveries of subsidised fuel by half this year, forcing the island to search for far more expensive oil on the spot market.”
The Cuban government also leveled some blame for these problems on the U.S. embargo (blockade).
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[1] Cuba returns to darkness, hours after the government celebrated the ‘gradual’ restoration of electricity, Diario de Cuba (Nov. 19, 2024); Cuba suffered second total power blackout in two days, Guardian (Nov. 19, 2024); Rodriguez, Cuba gets some electricity back after major power outage left millions in the dark, Wash. Post (Nov. 19, 2024); The restoration of the National electric System is gradually progressing in Cuba, Granma (Nov. 19, 2024); Senon, The US blockade is an impediment to the development of the energy sector. Granma (Oct. 18, 2024).
