Cuba is going through one of the most complex moments of recent years. Prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, citizen protests, and discreet conversations with the United States have placed the island at the center of international current events.
In recent weeks, different regions of the country have suffered electricity cuts which in some cases exceed 15 or even 20 hours daily, while the economic crisis continues to deteriorate the living conditions of the population.
Massive blackouts in a large part of the country
One of the most visible problems is the collapse of the electrical system.
The lack of fuel and breakdowns in thermoelectric power plants have caused prolonged power outages in many provinces.
In some areas of the country the electricity supply lasts only a few hours a day, entire neighborhoods remain a large part of the day without electricity while the blackouts also affect access to internet and telecommunications
The situation directly impacts daily life: from food preservation to the functioning of hospitals, transport or businesses.
Fuel scarcity and energy crisis
The Cuban Government has recently recognized that fuel reserves are very limited, which complicates electricity generation.
For years, the island depended heavily on the energy supply coming from Venezuela, but after the entry into the country of the Trump Administration, that flow has collapsed. As a consequence, the Cuban electrical system, already aged, has difficulties covering the national demand.
Increase in protests over blackouts
The energy crisis has provoked spontaneous protests in several cities of the country. In neighborhoods of Havana and other localities, nocturnal pot-banging protests, neighborhood gatherings, and protests over the blackouts have been registered
Human rights organizations have denounced detentions of participants in some demonstrations, while social unrest continues to grow.
Conversations with United States
In parallel to the internal crisis, President Miguel Díaz-Canel has recognized the existence of contacts with the United States.
Although the content of those conversations has not been detailed publicly, different analysts consider that they could be related to:
- The energy situation of the island
- Possible economic or humanitarian agreements
- The regional political context
- The negotiations occur at a time of great economic pressure on the country.
A very weakened economy
The Cuban economy has been dragging several years of difficulties that have worsened after the pandemic.
Among the main problems stand out high inflation, the scarcity of basic products, the fall of tourism in some periods and, now, the difficulties to import food and fuel
Many citizens denounce that it is increasingly complicated to cover basic needs such as food or transport.
What can happen now in Cuba
The evolution of the crisis will depend on several factors in the coming weeks:
The capacity of the electrical system to stabilize the supply.
The arrival of fuel or external aid.
The development of possible agreements with the United States.
The government's response to growing social unrest.
Meanwhile, the energy and economic situation continues to mark the day to day of millions of Cubans.