Earthquake leaves eastern Cuba reeling after hurricanes and blackouts

Eastern Cuba faced a catastrophic blow with a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hitting the region on November 10, 2024, piling onto the nation’s recent ordeal with hurricanes and a collapsing power grid. Residents were rattled as the quake, followed by a 5.9 magnitude aftershock, struck near Granma, causing significant infrastructural damage and even triggering landslides in the affected areas. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Cuba was already grappling with a series of power blackouts and the devastating effects of Hurricane Oscar, which had ravaged the nation just weeks before.

With millions left without power, food supplies dwindling, and citizens growing increasingly frustrated, Cuba faces a dire and uncertain path forward. The earthquake intensified the ongoing struggles, leaving many concerned about the nation’s ability to recover from this series of natural and infrastructural disasters. Key officials within the nation have pointed to the United States’ longstanding embargo as exacerbating Cuba’s existing energy crisis, which has limited the island’s access to necessary resources and financial relief.

Widespread Damage and Escalating Tensions

The earthquake, with an epicenter close to Bartolome Maso, shook the eastern provinces to their core, causing widespread panic and forcing people to seek refuge in open spaces to avoid building collapses. Buildings, homes, and critical infrastructure, already fragile from previous natural disasters, faced extensive damage. The tremors disrupted a critical time for residents and local authorities still working to restore power and rebuild communities from the recent hurricane’s destruction. Landslides caused by the quake cut off roadways, adding further obstacles for emergency and relief efforts.

A spokesperson for the Cuban government indicated that rescue operations are prioritizing the most impacted zones, particularly areas experiencing landslides. The blackout situation has only compounded the challenges, with many areas struggling to secure a consistent power supply amid an energy grid that has been failing repeatedly.

The Hurricane’s Impact: A Precursor to the Energy Crisis

Prior to this earthquake, Cuba was hit by Hurricane Oscar on October 20, 2024, which made landfall as a Category 1 storm. The hurricane left behind flooding and destruction, primarily affecting the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, where entire communities were inundated, and transportation was halted by floodwaters. Reports indicate that six people lost their lives due to the hurricane, which also damaged homes and local businesses and added strain on an already struggling infrastructure.

Cuba’s largest power plant, the Antonio Guiteras plant, suffered significant setbacks amid the hurricane and the continuing blackouts, further delaying recovery and impacting the already inadequate power supply. Protests erupted nationwide as citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the blackouts and the worsening situation. Some argued that authorities had neglected the country’s energy needs, leaving Cuba vulnerable to disaster-induced energy shortages.

Political and Economic Barriers to Recovery

Cuban leaders have been quick to blame the United States’ economic embargo for contributing to the difficulties in restoring power and providing aid to affected communities. During a recent address, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted the embargo’s impact, noting that it restricts the nation’s access to resources that could mitigate the fallout from natural disasters like Hurricane Oscar and the recent earthquake. The embargo, he argued, is a longstanding impediment that places additional pressure on Cuba’s struggling economy, limiting its ability to modernize its outdated infrastructure and hampering the nation’s ability to respond to crises.

International criticism of the embargo has been consistent, with the United Nations General Assembly recently condemning it for the 32nd consecutive year. Rodriguez pointed out that without this embargo, Cuba could access the supplies and financial support necessary to stabilize its economy and enhance resilience against natural disasters.

Expert Insights on Cuba’s Energy Crisis

Energy analysts and disaster recovery experts warn that Cuba’s crisis is likely to worsen if critical upgrades to the power grid are not made. Analysts have pointed out that Cuba’s reliance on older thermoelectric plants, coupled with reduced oil imports from historical allies such as Venezuela, has left the island vulnerable. According to experts, the country needs substantial foreign investment and technical modernization to maintain a stable power supply, even in the face of natural disasters. The recent earthquake, which has only underscored these vulnerabilities, is likely to spur calls for policy changes and international assistance to improve Cuba’s energy infrastructure.

Path to Recovery: International Aid and Community Resilience

Mexico recently pledged aid to support Cuba’s recovery, dispatching a tanker carrying roughly 400,000 barrels of oil to help ease fuel shortages. Scheduled to arrive in late October, this shipment underscores the need for international support to mitigate the crisis. Cuba’s economic constraints have stifled its ability to fund infrastructure repairs independently, with the country now more reliant on external support to stabilize its energy situation and address the after-effects of recent disasters.

While Cuba continues to face immense challenges, the resilience of its communities remains a hopeful sign. Many in the affected areas are coming together to support recovery efforts, with the crisis presenting a critical opportunity to advocate for systemic change. Without substantial upgrades and increased energy resources, however, Cuba may continue to struggle in the face of future environmental threats. Recovery will be slow and challenging, but the support of international allies could provide the boost needed to ensure a more stable future for the nation.