Cuba is emerging from an energy collapse and overcoming the consequences of the devastating Hurricane Oscar. Cubans, as always, demonstrate discipline at all levels. The international community, including through the UN, is ready to provide the necessary assistance. The Association of Cubans "Jose Marti" (Mexico) expressed solidarity with the people of the Island of Freedom and demanded an end to the economic blockade of Cuba imposed by the United States of America. According to Prensa Latina, five countries offered assistance to the country: Russia, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and Nicaragua. But what was the main cause of the energy disaster?
According to the Cuban Ministry of Energy, the country's power grid was turned off last Friday. The failure occurred at the largest power plant Antonio Guiteras. Cuba was literally plunged into darkness. And, as The Guardian reports, "many residents, sweating profusely, sat on the doorsteps of houses with their windows open when the sun broke through the clouds." Generators were used to ensure the operation of medical institutions.
According to the publication Cuba Debate, according to the Minister of Energy and Mining of Cuba Vicente de la O Levy, the collapse of the country's energy system happened "because of its weakening" caused by a shortage of fuel. And the reason for this is the consequences of the economic and financial blockade of Cuba by the United States.
The situation was aggravated by the invasion of Hurricane Oscar on October 21 this year. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez noted on the eve of the disaster in his blog on X: "I have just talked with the first secretaries of the Communist Party of Cuba from Camaguey to Guantanamo. Given the inevitability of Hurricane Oscar, hard work is already underway to protect people and economic resources. Attention is also paid to the situation in the energy sector."
According to data published by the Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (Insmet), the hurricane, whose speed reached from 30 to 45 kilometers per hour, with stronger gusts up to 65 kilometers, hit the northern coast of the provinces of Holguin and Las Tunas, a decrease in wind was noted in Guantanamo. All this was accompanied by coastal floods. On October 21, according to Prensa Latina, in the eastern region and in the central provinces of Cuba, there were many heavy rains that caused flooding and destruction.
Already on October 21, the electric company of Havana announced that at 16:01 local time, the electrical system was restored in Havana, which has been affected since October 18 due to a complete power outage. In its Telegram account, the Havana Electric Company clarified that there are still a number of problems related to malfunctions that are being worked on to restore power services as soon as possible.
"The country continues to make efforts to ensure the supply of fuel that will improve the situation in the coming weeks, and, on the other hand, efforts are also being made to purchase spare parts to ensure the smooth operation of the electrical system," said the head of the Island of Freedom.
As for Hurricane Oscar, the Cuban President stressed that the entire civil defense system of the country, including provincial and municipal defense councils, is working very responsibly. He noted that due to the complexity of the situation, it was decided to send a working group from the government and the Communist Party of Cuba to the provinces that may be affected by the disaster. The Cuban president also pointed out that certain individuals use the difficult situation in which the country is located "to carry out the orders of the counterrevolution living abroad," trying to create instability. In this regard, he assured that the revolution will never tolerate such behavior, and all those involved in it will be held accountable, as befits, with all the rigor provided for by Cuban laws. As for the isolated cases of public unrest that took place in Havana, the president explained that "we are not going to allow acts of vandalism, not to mention the violation of the public tranquility of our people," according to Cuban official media.
As for the consequences of Hurricane Oscar, as Cuba Debate comments, the hurricane left behind traces of destruction in some areas of Guantanamo: torrential rains led to flooding and isolated many villages. Not only buildings and other material objects suffered damage from the hurricane. Serious damage has also been caused to the country's agriculture, primarily coffee, banana and tomato plantations. So, only in Guantanamo, almost 50 percent of the plantings on banana plantations were damaged, and in Baracoa and Maisi — from 70 to 80 percent. About 200 hectares of tomatoes planted in the Cowhery Valley in San Antonio del Sur were washed away by water.
In the midst of this crisis, the soldiers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba showed courage and dedication during the rescue operation.
"From the very first moment, these brave men mobilized, overcoming adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain to reach the most affected settlements. Equipped with boats and life-saving equipment, they overcame overflowing rivers and swampy roads, bringing help and hope to those who needed it most. The work of rescuers was not limited to evacuating people who were in danger; they also provided medical assistance, delivered food and provided shelter to the victims. During each operation, they encountered examples of the resilience of Cuban families. These people are not just rescuers, they are a symbol of solidarity and resilience in the face of the hardships that have befallen our people," Cuba Debate writes.
"The people of Cuba, indeed, do not occupy steadfastness and dedication. The authorities of this country have also gained a lot of experience in overcoming difficulties. But it's one thing when it comes to natural disasters, no one is insured here. And another thing is when we see the consequences of man-made disasters and other problems caused by more than half a century of economic and financial blockade imposed by the US authorities. In fact, this is a deliberate genocide of the Cuban people in retaliation for their desire to pursue an independent path. As you know, these actions of official Washington are condemned in the United States itself, including at the level of senators, congressmen, representatives of the political elite of various states of this country. The public and politicians of different countries have been raising the question of the need to lift the blockade of Freedom Island for many years. The United States considers itself a stronghold of democracy, allows itself to teach other countries and peoples how to live, including by inciting wars and conflicts. Perhaps it is time to convene and hold an international public trial of the United States with the definition of specific sanctions against the authorities of this country. Moreover, for the entire centuries-old history of inciting genocide against other peoples. Official Washington has long deserved its Nuremberg trials. And I am sure that this will take place," summed up political scientist Tatyana Poloskova.