Cuba Plunged into Darkness Again: Third Nationwide Blackout Hits

Cuba was recently plunged into a nationwide blackout, marking the third such incident in a two-week period. Officials reported that the entire country lost power following a sudden frequency change caused by a generating unit issue in Holguin province.

The island's National Electric System (SEN) is under immense pressure from ongoing fuel shortages and the effects of a US oil embargo. This has led to widespread disruptions, including the halting of public transport and cancellation of numerous surgeries.

Restoration efforts are underway, with authorities activating protocols to re-establish power. This includes setting up "micro-islands" to restore electricity to essential services like hospitals and food processing plants first. Some parts of Havana and other provinces began seeing electricity return later in the day.

This latest outage underscores the severity of the economic and financial crisis gripping Cuba, with repeated breakdowns significantly impacting daily life and essential services. Many Cubans are resorting to alternative energy solutions like solar power and electric vehicles.