How Cuba’s Energy Woes and Hurricane Oscar Strain Essential Services

How Cuba's Energy Woes and Hurricane Oscar Strain Essential Services

A 13-year-old diabetic girl dies in Cuba after using spoiled insulin, exposing the deadly consequences of the nation’s energy crisis.

At a Glance

  • Cuba faces its worst blackout in recent history, affecting hospitals and medicine storage
  • A nationwide power outage has led to the suspension of classes and non-essential work
  • Hurricane Oscar exacerbated the crisis, causing seven deaths and significant damage
  • Protests erupt as the government struggles to meet peak energy demand of 3 gigawatts
  • International assistance offered as Cuba grapples with economic and humanitarian challenges

Energy Crisis Claims Young Life, Cripples Healthcare

Communist Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis has taken a tragic turn with the death of a 13-year-old girl in Havana. The young diabetic’s life was cut short after she used spoiled insulin, which had degraded due to lack of refrigeration during an extended blackout that began on October 18. This heartbreaking incident underscores the severe impact of Cuba’s power shortages on essential medical services and vulnerable populations.

The girl’s death certificate reportedly cited “multiple organ failure,” but her father refused to accept this explanation. Estela Mora, reporting on the incident, stated, “A doctor wrote on the death certificate that, apparently, the insulin was not in good condition. The father refused to sign the alleged multiple organ failure as the cause of death.”

This tragedy has sparked outrage, with one doctor on Twitter bluntly labeling the situation “Hitman,” highlighting the systemic failures leading to preventable deaths.

Nationwide Blackout Paralyzes Cuba

The current blackout, described as the worst in Cuba’s recent history, has far-reaching consequences beyond healthcare. Hospitals are grappling with malfunctioning electric generators, putting dialysis patients and emergency services at risk. The crisis has forced the Cuban government to take drastic measures, suspending classes and non-essential work until October 27 in an attempt to conserve energy.

“The country has completely halted,” said Cuban homemaker Mayde Quiñones, reflecting the paralysis gripping the nation.

With only essential workplaces operating, Cuba’s economy stands at a virtual standstill.

The government’s response has been swift but insufficient. Manuel Marrero announced measures including the “general disconnection of dispensable work centers, the use of teleworking, actions on high consumers and the establishment of consumption plans in the non-state sector.” However, these steps have done little to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Cubans.

Hurricane Oscar Compounds Crisis

As if the energy crisis wasn’t enough, Hurricane Oscar made landfall as a tropical storm, further devastating the island. The hurricane has claimed seven lives and exacerbated the already critical power situation. Protests have erupted in urban areas, with citizens banging pots and pans, demonstrating from balconies, and blocking streets with garbage in a display of growing frustration.

The Cuban government, known for its intolerance of civil disobedience, has responded with warnings. President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated, “we’re not going to allow any vandalism or let anyone disturb people’s tranquility.” This hard-line stance comes as the nation struggles to produce even a fraction of its energy needs, with only 700 megawatts available against a peak demand of 3 gigawatts.

As Cuba grapples with this humanitarian crisis, offers of assistance have come from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia. However, the root causes of the crisis remain a point of contention. The Cuban government continues to blame the U.S. trade embargo for its economic woes, while the U.S. points to Cuba’s mismanagement of resources.