A storm in Cuba has claimed at least six lives, while a prolonged power outage is fueling frustration among residents.

 

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s capital remained largely immobilized on Monday, while the rest of the island braced for a fourth night without power following a massive blackout. The outage has triggered small protests and a firm government warning that unrest will not be tolerated.

Hurricane Oscar made landfall on Sunday and crossed eastern Cuba as a tropical storm by Monday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The storm left at least six people dead, while several dozen residents in neighborhoods like Santos Suárez and central Havana staged protests. Some banged pots and pans, while others blocked streets with garbage, frustrated by the lack of water and power.

"The country has come to a complete halt," said 55-year-old Mayde Quiñones, who cares for her elderly mother-in-law. “This situation is hardest on the elderly.”

The Cuban government, known for its low tolerance for dissent, responded swiftly. President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned on national television that "vandalism and disturbances to public order" would not be allowed.

The blackout, which began with an outage last Thursday, is part of Cuba's ongoing energy crisis. Similar energy-related protests erupted in July 2021, the largest in nearly 30 years, followed by smaller demonstrations in October 2022 and March 2024. The crisis has worsened economic conditions, prompting over half a million Cubans to flee to the U.S., with more seeking refuge in Europe.

Some 80% of Havana had intermittent power by Monday, but many residents remained skeptical. Small-business owner Juan Estrada expressed concern over food spoilage due to the prolonged outages, saying his business in central Havana has been without consistent power since Friday.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy expressed hope that power could be restored by Monday or Tuesday, though schools remained closed until at least Thursday. He noted that Hurricane Oscar’s landfall on the eastern coast added further complications to recovery efforts, as key power plants are located in the affected region.

Many of Havana’s 2 million residents resorted to cooking with improvised wood stoves on the streets, while long lines formed to purchase subsidized food. Gas stations were few and far between, adding to the city’s challenges.

The Antonio Guiteras power plant's failure on Friday was the latest in a series of energy infrastructure problems in Cuba. The country has faced rotating electricity restrictions due to the aging and under-maintained power plants, compounded by fuel shortages.

Some, like Rosa Rodríguez, have been without electricity for four days. “We have so many problems, and none are being solved,” Rodríguez said, waiting in line for bread.

The current blackout is Cuba’s worst since Hurricane Ian in 2022, which took days to repair. In response, the government has introduced emergency measures, including suspending classes, closing non-essential state workplaces, and cutting electricity consumption.

Cuba’s energy minister acknowledged that attempts to reconnect power over the weekend resulted in additional partial blackouts. He also noted that Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia had offered assistance to help restore power.