On Friday, major global media outlets reported on the collapse of Cuba's national electrical system following a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, plunging the entire island into darkness. International headlines emphasized the severe implications of this event in a country already grappling with a profound economic and social crisis.
The New York Times delivered real-time coverage of the electrical grid's breakdown, noting it occurred less than a day after the government announced emergency energy-saving measures. The prominent American newspaper underscored the population's frustration, accustomed to frequent power outages, now enduring more than 20 hours without electricity daily.
CNN's breaking news segment reported that the blackout resulted from a "failure" at one of the country's key power plants, highlighting the fragility of Cuba's electrical infrastructure. The network pointed out that the electricity shortage impacts all ten million island residents, with the government scrambling to implement emergency strategies.
Meanwhile, BBC addressed the situation by mentioning the government's decision to close schools and non-essential sectors to alleviate the crisis. Amid growing social unrest, these measures are expected to fuel further discontent among citizens already facing shortages of food and medicine.
French newspaper Le Monde highlighted President Miguel Díaz-Canel's response on social media, vowing no respite until power is restored. The article noted the government's three-decade-long energy crisis, exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure and reduced oil supply from allied nations like Venezuela.
Spain's El País summarized the situation as Cuba enduring a nationwide blackout, declaring an "energy emergency" due to the electrical system's collapse. This, according to Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, is caused by "the infrastructure's condition, fuel scarcity, and increased demand."
Additionally, Antena 3 reported that Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines announced a "total disconnection" of the island's energy system following the incident at the Central Termoeléctrica (CTE) Antonio Guiteras, the country's main power plant.
The crisis in Cuba mirrors a broader issue involving not just electrical supply but also resource management and the government's response to escalating challenges. The population expresses their breaking point, with thousands of Cubans using social media to demand the government's resignation.