(CLO) Cuba closed schools and ordered non-essential workers to stay home on Friday after the power grid crashed due to a major power plant failure, causing widespread blackouts.
Only six of Cuba's 15 oil-fired power plants are operating, according to government reports. Severe fuel shortages have left the government unable to operate the smaller diesel generators that are typically used to supplement the power system.
A street corner in Havana, Cuba. Photo: szeke
The situation has weakened Cuba's aging power system and led to the largest blackouts since nationwide grid collapses late last year.
A decline in oil imports from Venezuela, Russia and Mexico last year has pushed Cuba's aging oil-fired power plants into a serious crisis.
The Cuban government announced on Thursday evening that it would “suspend non-essential teaching and work activities under current conditions.” Basic services will still be maintained.
Residents across the capital Havana have reported blackouts lasting between six and 10 hours this week, while provincial cities and small towns in the countryside have seen blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day.
The increasing power outages have added to worries among a population already stressed by widespread shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
Cuba blames the US trade embargo and tough sanctions imposed by the Trump administration for making it difficult to maintain its power grid and import fuel and spare parts, and many islanders fear the situation will only get worse.
Last month, US President Donald Trump reversed last-minute measures to ease sanctions on Cuba that his predecessor Joe Biden had implemented. Cuban officials said residents could expect a slight improvement over the weekend as fuel supplies improve.
Cao Phong (according to Reuters, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuba-tiep-tuc-mat-dien-tren-dien-rong-post334724.html
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