by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News)— Cuba’s electrical grid collapsed for the fourth time in 48 hours, leaving the nation without power as Hurricane Oscar loomed, threatening to inflict even more damage on the island’s fragile infrastructure.
Cuba’s meteorological agency warned of “an extremely dangerous situation” for eastern Cuba, where much of the region was already without electricity or communication. The approaching storm, with winds reaching up to 100 mph (161 kph), seriously threatens the island nation.
The Communist government extended school closures through Wednesday—a rare move in Cuba—citing the dual threat of the approaching hurricane and the ongoing energy crisis. Officials instructed that only essential workers report to their jobs on Monday.
The recurring grid failures severely undermined the government’s efforts to restore electricity to exhausted residents already facing critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
With Hurricane Oscar approaching the island, frustration boiled over, triggering two small protests overnight across the country.
While Cuba blamed the U.S. trade embargo and sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump for its economic troubles, the situation was compounded by dwindling support from regional allies.
Venezuela, struggling to meet its own domestic demand, slashed its subsidized fuel deliveries to Cuba by half this year, forcing the island to seek more expensive oil on the spot market. Meanwhile, Mexico also halved its fuel shipments to Cuba as it navigates its own presidential election this year.
Meanwhile, Cuba continues its crackdown on religious freedom, as reported by Worthy News earlier this year. The communist regime currently ranks 22nd on the U.S.-based Open Doors World Watch List for 2024, which highlights the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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