What initially appeared to be one of the usual queues to purchase scarce goods in Cuba turned out to be something entirely different. Dozens of Cubans gathered outside the Carlos III store in Havana to charge their cell phones amidst the widespread blackout that continues to plague the island.
"This Saturday at Carlos III, the line you see is not for any product; people are lined up with a series of extension cords to charge their devices, all from a single outlet that’s outside. They're doing the same outside the MINBAS," shared internet user Jairo Cabrera Monagas on Facebook.
Cabrera Monagas backed up his statement with photos showing the crowd, clearly desperate to keep their devices powered to stay informed during the nation's energy crisis.
Power Grid Failure Intensifies Struggle
Starting Friday at noon, Cuba experienced a total disconnection from the National Electric System (SEN) after the failure of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country's main energy supplier. Despite minimal progress in restoring power, the SEN collapsed once again on Saturday.
The Cuban leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has persistently blamed the United States for the island's energy issues, describing the situation as another "demonstration of all the problems caused by the blockade and its impacts. Sometimes it's said that it's due to inefficiency, that it aims to trouble people."
Digital Isolation Amidst Energy Crisis
On top of the power outages, Cuba faced continued internet disruptions on Saturday, leading to significant digital isolation for millions. According to the international internet monitoring group NetBlocks, network data indicates that a large portion of the island remains offline due to the second nationwide blackout.