In the dead of night, Havana is plunged into darkness. Pedestrians illuminate themselves with flashlights or their mobile phones. In the tourist district of the old town, musicians play tunes in a few remaining open restaurants with the help of their electric generators. 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 maintenance shutdowns.
The country of 9.6 million inhabitants recently suffered a general power outage lasting more than 24 hours on March 16 and 17. Daily power outages lasting several hours are common, especially in rural areas.
This new general outage 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 weary residents of Havana express their anger. “It has become unbearable. It has been less than a week since we experienced a similar situation, we have had enough,” complains 64-year-old Ofelia Oliva as she returns home after abandoning a visit to her daughter.
Taxi driver Nilo López, 36, is also dissatisfied. “I wonder if we will spend our entire lives like this, because we cannot live like this,” he grumbles. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Meiven Rodriguez has decided to continue selling cigarettes in his small shop, using his mobile phone for light. “It has to be done, how else will we bring some money home?” he asks.
Underinvestment and American sanctions
The Cuban government claims that American sanctions prevent them from repairing their dilapidated electrical infrastructure, but some economists also point out chronic underinvestment by the state in this sector.
For over two months, oil deliveries from Venezuela, Havana’s main supplier, have been interrupted and the administration of US President Donald Trump threatens to sanction any country that sends oil to Cuba. To justify this policy, Washington cites an “exceptional threat” that Cuba, a Caribbean island just 150 km off the coast of Florida, poses to the security of the United States.
Havana, in turn, accuses Donald Trump of wanting to “strangle” the country’s economy, which has been under American embargo since 1962 and has faced increased American sanctions in recent years.
