Cuban communist regime halted all education and work activities on Friday and Saturday in a hopeless effort in the final ditch to “save power” in the face of Cuba's barely functional power grid. did.
According to the Castro regime, the measure is trying to reduce Cuba's power consumption as an already long power blackout that has plagued a country that has deteriorated in recent weeks.
The Castro regime's disastrous communist policies, which have ruled the island nation for more than 60 years, left Cuba with a power grid that could not properly generate enough electricity for the entire country by consistent standards. As a result, Cubans are forced to go through almost endless blackouts every day, which can last an average of 18 hours.
The barely functional power grid is completely It fell A few times at the end of 2024. The Castro administration was able to get it back online a few days later, but since it first collapsed in October, blackouts have become more frequent and longer.
Cuba has experienced more than 20 hours of power outages in recent weeks. At one point in the entire backout, 57% of the country were simultaneously lacking power. Wednesday It is reportedly Since 2023, the number of individually documented blackouts has been the most. According to In GrandmaThe country, the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party, has 15 thermoelectric plants, of which only six are run. Four have undergone maintenance, while the rest “we haven't stopped service during the troubleshooting process.”
Power outage again Aggravated This week, when the country's electricity grid reached “minimum availability” with generation. The capital, Havana, is known as the area “most unaffected” by its residents by the blackouts; It is reportedly I experienced a power blackout every three hours throughout Thursday. Recently, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sanctispiritas, Matanza, Granma, Cuba Experienced Power outages for up to 30 hours.
In a final ditch effort, the Castro administration's Labour Party and Social Security Minister Marta Elena Fight Cabrera will be releasing all “required” on Thursday night, between Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th. Announced a nationwide suspension of education and work activities.
The Minister explained that the decision “contributes to the necessary savings in electricity consumption to mitigate the impact on the population” taking into account the country's energy situation.
Despite the announcement of the Castro administration, that's true It is reportedly Up to 46% of Cuba expected to suffer simultaneously with blackouts during peak power consumption hours on Friday evening/night. administration Recognised It will not be able to maintain power to cover the maximum peak demand expected on Friday night, as it can only generate 1,735 megawatts of electricity.
Whether the worsening blackouts and the suspension of education and work activities will have any impact on the left-wing event, the 33rd Havana International Book Fair, president of Castro's state, will have any impact on the 33rd Havana International Book Fair. remains unknown at the time. kick off On Thursday, much of Cuba was left without power. Event footage Published The state media website appears to indicate that Cubadebate on Thursday is not affected by the power blackout.
According to the Castro administration, the event will attract “400 foreign guests from over 40 countries.” The South African government is the “Guest of Honor” country for the event, as 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the official establishment of bilateral relations between late South African President Nelson Mandela and manslaughter dictator Fidel Castro. The event will run February 23rd It travels across Havana and then the country's states, surrounded by the city of Santiago de Cuba March 23rd.
Christian K. Calzo is a Venezuelan writer and documents life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here
