Havana-Daily blackouts with an average of four hours or more have become the new normality in the capital of Havana de Cuba, a disturbing sign of an energy crisis even without resolution as the sensual summer of the Caribbean is established.
The misfortune of Havana follows a series of blackouts nationwide for several months, more recently in March, which fell the fragile network of the country in an almost total disorder, stressed by fuel shortage, natural disaster and economic crisis.
The main shopping center on the island and a upper tourist destination, Havana has endured occasional blackouts, but until this year he had largely protected from the worst of interruptions by the network operator.
“People are stressed,” said Aramis Bueno, a 47 -year -old resident of the Dragons neighborhood of Central Densely populated, while satting at his door during a night blackout this week.
“It is not easy to live like this. Look what time it is. We have not been able to shower, eat … due to the blackouts.”
The worsen power cuts in Havana occur when the United States has severely tightened sanctions to Cuba, returning the island nation to a list of state terrorism sponsors and increasing restrictions on remittances, tourism and commerce.
The blackouts in the capital, unlike much of the rest of the country, are largely scheduled, and much shorter than in the peripheral and rural provinces, where interruptions sometimes cover 15 hours or more per day.
But the conversation of the city in Havana is increasingly.
“It is terrible, it is terrible. The electrical system in this country at this time simply does not work,” said Dayamí Cheri, 52, a resident of the former Havana. “With this heat and without electricity, no one can survive.”
Recent interruptions led to school closures and workplace, reinforcing a deep deficit in economic production, which fell 1.9% in 2023. The economy did not expand in 2024, when more severe black leaflets were established, although the government has not yet published the growth figures last year.
However, there are flashes of hope.
Cuba advances this year in a plan supported by China to install more than 50 solar parks capable of producing more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity.
Eleven solar parks have been installed since February, offering the promise of a better future, although most of Havanans say they are still bent over for a long summer.
“I was born with blackouts,” said Yasunay Pérez, 46, from the center of Havana. “This is nothing new.”
