Cuba is in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits, bringing widespread devastation to the island. The category 1 hurricane made landfall in eastern Cuba near the city of Baracoa, with winds reaching nearly 80mph (130 km/h) and waves as high as 13 feet (4 meters). The impact has worsened an already critical situation on the island, which has been grappling with a nationwide power outage since Friday.
Widespread Power Outages
Cuba in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits has been facing a massive power crisis. The outage began when the island’s main energy plant, Antonio Guiteras, went offline, plunging nearly 10 million people into darkness. Although power was partially restored on Saturday, the grid collapsed again as the hurricane made landfall, leaving many without electricity, water, and basic services.
Energy and Mining Minister Vicente de la O Levy said power restoration efforts are underway, promising that most residents will have power by Monday night, with the last areas expected to be restored by Tuesday. However, for the people of Cuba, who have been without air conditioning, refrigeration, or even fans in sweltering heat, the wait is becoming unbearable. Food is beginning to spoil, and families are forced to cook using firewood, making the situation even more dire.
Destruction in Eastern Cuba
Hurricane Oscar hit hardest in eastern Cuba, where Cuba is in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits, with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warning of significant flash flooding and mudslides. The hurricane’s powerful winds and torrential rains caused considerable damage to the coastal city of Baracoa. Residents are coping with the loss of electricity, water shortages, and the closure of schools and businesses.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said authorities in eastern Cuba were working to protect people and vital economic resources. However, the country’s fragile infrastructure, particularly its outdated energy grid, remains a major concern, with fears that the hurricane will exacerbate Cuba’s long-standing power supply issues.
Strained Infrastructure and Government Response
Cuba in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits highlights the vulnerability of the island’s energy infrastructure. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, in a televised address, acknowledged that deteriorating infrastructure, combined with fuel shortages and rising energy demand, has left Cuba’s electricity system severely strained. The blackout has led to the suspension of non-essential government services and the closure of schools and nightclubs until Monday in an effort to conserve power.
The Cuban government has blamed the decades-long U.S. embargo for restricting access to necessary supplies and spare parts, which has hindered the country’s ability to maintain and repair its energy infrastructure. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez echoed this sentiment, stating that lifting the embargo would alleviate the blackouts and help stabilize the country’s power supply.
Public Frustration and Growing Discontent
As Cuba is in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits, frustration among the Cuban population is rising. Many have taken to social media to express their anger over the power outages and the government’s handling of the crisis. The extended blackout is putting further pressure on an already struggling nation, with concerns mounting over the availability of essential services, such as healthcare and food supply.
Eloy Fon, an 80-year-old resident of Havana, spoke to AFP about the ongoing power crisis, stating, “It shows the fragility of our electricity system… We have no reserves, there is nothing to sustain the country, we are living day to day.” Others, like Bárbara López, a digital content creator, lamented the difficulties of working without power or mobile data, calling it the worst outage she had experienced in 47 years.
The Cuban government is acutely aware of the potential for unrest, especially given the public protests sparked by previous blackouts in July 2021. During those protests, thousands took to the streets to demand better living conditions and an end to government mismanagement. The current crisis, worsened by Hurricane Oscar, could lead to further public discontent if the situation does not improve soon.
Conclusion
Cuba is in the centre of fierce destruction as Hurricane Oscar hits, compounding the country’s existing energy and infrastructure crises. As residents endure power outages, food shortages, and water supply disruptions, the island faces a significant recovery challenge. While government efforts are underway to restore power and protect key infrastructure, the long-term strain on Cuba’s fragile energy system raises concerns about future resilience, particularly in the face of natural disasters.
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