Cuba has taken the drastic step of turning off nearly 75% of public lighting during peak hours in response to a deepening energy shortage, as reported by state media on Tuesday. The country’s efforts to address the worsening economic crisis have been met with challenges as blackouts disrupt daily life and economic activities.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, disclosed during a council of ministers meeting that the public lighting reduction is just one of numerous measures being implemented. These measures include the closure of thousands of state services and adjustments in production to mitigate the impact of the widespread blackouts affecting the nation.
Cuba, heavily reliant on imports, has been grappling with a severe economic downturn, witnessing a 10% decline in gross domestic product since 2019. The government attributes this crisis to a combination of factors, including U.S. sanctions imposed during the Trump era targeting key sectors like tourism, medical services, and remittances. The situation has been further exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic, escalating shipping costs, and challenges in restructuring the centralized and state-controlled economy.
The scarcity of foreign exchange for essential imports such as food, medicine, and fuel has intensified this year, according to official reports. Minister de la O Levy highlighted that Cuba has only received 46% of the planned fuel imports, leading to prolonged power outages across the country except in the capital city of Havana.
Residents in various provinces are enduring daily blackouts lasting between six to twelve hours, split into multiple intervals. Individuals like Yurkina Gracial in Guantanamo province and Jaime Carrillo in Pinar del Rio province have expressed the challenges posed by these extended power cuts, impacting daily routines and businesses.
Yurkina Gracial shared her struggle with four-hour power outages twice a day, particularly challenging due to the high temperatures in the region. Meanwhile, Jaime Carrillo highlighted the difficulties faced by businesses, such as food spoilage due to refrigeration issues during frequent blackouts.