Cuba in darkness: Massive power failure amid energy crisis
In the face of a worsening energy crisis, the communist government of Cuba closed schools and businesses providing services to non-essential industries on Friday. Shortly afterward, a failure occurred, and darkness fell across the country.
The communist government of Cuba closed all schools and universities on Friday and halted operations of businesses providing services to "non-essential industry" for three days, also sending most officials home, Reuters reported. All cultural and recreational institutions and centres remain closed until Monday.
Only healthcare and food industry workers were expected to report to work today. The Cuban government is using this method to tackle the energy crisis that has caused frequent power outages in most parts of the country.
In a speech delivered Thursday evening, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero declared that the government's only option is to "paralyze the economy."
Blackout across the country
"Following the unexpected departure of the Antonio Guiteras CTE, the National Electricity System was completely disconnected at 11 a.m. today," the energy ministry announced on Friday. As a result of a failure at one of the largest power plants, the entire country was left without electricity.
Marrero blamed the energy shortages on deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increasing demand. Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attributed the issues to financial and energy "persecution" by the USA, which he claimed had hindered the "import [of] fuel and other resources necessary".
Millions of Cubans are struggling with frequent power outages lasting up to 12 hours. Outside the capital, Havana, it can sometimes be without power for as much as 18 hours a day.
The island's two largest power plants—Antonio Guiteras and Felton—are not producing the intended amount and will soon be shut down for maintenance work. This is part of a four-year plan to revitalize Cuba's deteriorating infrastructure.
