At the tomb of the night, Havana is plunged into darkness. In the streets, passersby illuminate themselves with flashlights or their mobile phones. In the tourist area of the old town, musicians play tunes in a few remaining open restaurants with their electric bands. Other establishments have closed their doors since sunset.
Eight aging thermal power plants
Electricity production in Cuba relies on a network of eight aging thermal power plants, some of which have been in operation for over 40 years, experiencing frequent breakdowns or requiring shutdowns for maintenance cycles.
The country with 9.6 million inhabitants had already experienced a general blackout of over 24 hours on March 16 and 17. Power outages lasting several hours are daily occurrences, especially in rural areas.
This latest general blackout comes as an international aid convoy began arriving in Havana this week, bringing medical supplies, food, water, and solar panels.
“I wonder if we will spend our entire lives like this, because we cannot live like this.”
Some exhausted residents of Havana express their anger. “It has become unbearable. Less than a week has passed since we experienced a similar situation, we have had enough,” complains Ofelia Oliva, 64, returning home after giving up visiting her daughter.
Taxi driver Nilo López, 36, is also discontented. “I wonder if we will spend our entire lives like this, because we cannot live like this,” he grumbles. Meanwhile, Meiven Rodriguez, 40, has decided to continue selling cigarettes in his small store while lighting up with his mobile phone. “It needs to be done, otherwise how will we bring some money home?” he asks.
Underinvestment and American sanctions
The Cuban government claims that American sanctions prevent it from repairing its aging electrical infrastructure, but economists also point out chronic underinvestment by the state in this sector.
For more than two months, oil deliveries from Venezuela, Havana’s main supplier, have been interrupted and the administration of President Donald Trump threatens to sanction any country that sends oil to Cuba. Washington justifies its policy by citing an “exceptional threat” posed by Cuba, a Caribbean island located just 150 km off the coast of Florida, to the security of the United States.
In return, Havana accuses Donald Trump of wanting to “choke” the country’s economy, under American embargo since 1962 and facing increased American sanctions in recent years.
