Cuba has been hit with a second power outage in just 24 hours, underscoring years of warnings about the country’s aging infrastructure and struggling energy sector.
The latest blackout, which occurred on Wednesday night, left large parts of the island without electricity for several hours. This comes after a similar outage on Tuesday, which affected around 2 million people in Havana.
The power outages have once again highlighted the challenges facing Cuba’s energy sector, which has long been plagued by underinvestment, inefficiency, and lack of maintenance. The country relies heavily on oil imports from Venezuela, but these supplies have dwindled in recent years due to the economic crisis in the South American country.
Cuban officials have blamed the power outages on a combination of factors, including technical problems at power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks. They have also cited the impact of U.S. sanctions, which have made it difficult for Cuba to access spare parts and technology needed to modernize its energy infrastructure.
However, critics argue that the Cuban government has failed to adequately address these issues, despite years of warnings from experts and international organizations. They say that the country’s energy sector is in desperate need of reform and investment to prevent further blackouts and ensure a reliable power supply for its citizens.
The power outages have had a significant impact on daily life in Cuba, with many people struggling to access basic services such as water, transportation, and communication. Businesses have also been affected, leading to further economic hardship for an already struggling population.
As Cuba grapples with its second power outage in as many days, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the underlying issues in the country’s energy sector. Without significant investment and reform, the risk of further blackouts and disruptions to daily life will continue to loom large over the island nation.