A town in Cuba is recovering from flooding that claimed at least seven lives as Tropical Storm Oscar swept across the island’s eastern coast with strong winds and heavy rain.
Cuba’s capital experienced a partial blackout, leading to some protests and a warning from the regime about potential repercussions for any unrest.
President Miguel DÃaz-Canel reported on state television that rescue operations were ongoing in San Antonio del Sur, with some flooded areas yet to be reached. He also confirmed another fatality in Imias, Guantanamo province.
In Havana, residents faced long lines to access subsidized food and expressed concerns about the challenging recovery ahead.
Tropical Storm Oscar weakened as it moved towards the Bahamas after hitting Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane. It was forecasted to bring heavy rainfall to the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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Modesto Hernández, a resident of central Havana, expressed frustration with the lack of information and the urgent need for solutions. He emphasized the current dire situation.
President DÃaz-Canel issued a warning on national television against any disturbances, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and order.
The recent nationwide blackout, following a significant outage, exacerbated existing energy issues in Cuba and sparked the largest protests in nearly 30 years in July 2021. Subsequent smaller protests occurred in October 2022 and March 2024, reflecting the deep economic crisis prompting many Cubans to seek better opportunities abroad.
The Cuban government attributes its economic challenges to the long-standing U.S. trade embargo, while the White House highlighted the regime’s mismanagement as a contributing factor.
Despite relatively low energy costs, power shortages are increasingly common in Cuba. The recent blackout affected a significant portion of Havana, with concerns about food spoilage and limited access to essential services.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy noted that Tropical Storm Oscar would further complicate recovery efforts by impacting key power plants across the country.
In Havana, residents resorted to makeshift cooking methods as essential services remained disrupted. The failure of the Antonio Guiteras plant underscored the challenges of maintaining a reliable energy supply in Cuba.
The recent blackout was reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in Cuba’s energy infrastructure.
Local authorities cited increased demand and infrastructure failures as causes of the blackout, underscoring the need for long-term solutions to prevent such crises in the future.
By Andrea Rodriguez and Milexsy Duran
Please rewrite the following sentence: “The weather forecast predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms for the entire weekend.”
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