Cuba Grapples with Multiple Disasters: Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Energy Crisis Leave Nation in Dire Straits
Cuba faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis after a series of natural disasters and power failures hit the island over the past three weeks. A powerful earthquake, the third major disaster in as many weeks, rocked eastern Cuba on Sunday, November 12. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck off the southern coast near Pilón, in Granma province, injuring several people and leaving residents in shock. This tremor followed a 5.9-magnitude quake earlier that morning, adding to the 885 aftershocks the region experienced in just 24 hours.
Natural Disasters Unleash Destruction Across Cuba
The earthquakes have caused extensive structural damage in Pilón and nearby towns. Social media and state reports reveal images of homes, schools, and historical buildings, including the Cabo Cruz lighthouse, showing deep cracks and collapsed walls. While residents are accustomed to the region’s seismic activity, the scale of recent quakes has forced many to seek refuge in the mountains, fearing further tremors.
These earthquakes came just days after Cuba was battered by two back-to-back hurricanes: Hurricane Oscar and Hurricane Rafael. Hurricane Oscar triggered flash floods in the eastern province of Guantánamo on October 20, killing at least eight people and causing widespread destruction. Shortly after, Hurricane Rafael intensified to Category 3 and struck western Cuba, devastating essential infrastructure, destroying homes, and once again crippling the national power grid.
Struggling Without Power and Basic Necessities
The hurricanes and earthquakes have strained Cuba’s already-fragile energy system, leaving millions without power or access to clean water. The government initially declared an energy emergency on October 18 due to a power plant failure, which plunged much of the island into darkness. Attempts to restore electricity were thwarted by Hurricane Rafael, which knocked out high-voltage power lines and left provinces such as Pinar del Río and Artemisa in the dark for over a week.
Across the island, water access remains dangerously low. In Artemisa, only 17% of residents have water service, while Havana reports that just 20% of its residents have access to clean water. In rural areas, government-provided tanks and bottled water are the only sources of hydration for many.
For residents of San Antonio del Sur and Imías, two towns heavily impacted by Hurricane Oscar, the hardships are severe. Flash floods destroyed homes and farmland, leaving many families with little or no possessions. Complaints about a lack of warning and slow government response to the crisis have fueled anger and frustration. Local leaders have scrambled to distribute limited resources, but many feel the response has been insufficient.
Public Protests and Government Crackdown
Cuba’s government faces increasing criticism for its handling of these overlapping crises. As living conditions have worsened, protests have erupted across the country, with at least 23 people arrested since the power grid collapse in mid-October. Demonstrators in towns like Encrucijada in Villa Clara province have demanded faster government action to restore power and provide basic services.
In Havana, residents of neighborhoods like Nuevo Vedado and Playa have gone without power for over 100 hours at a time, leading to widespread spoilage of food and leaving families with few options. Independent journalist Yoani Sánchez described the despair among locals: “The little that people had to eat has run out or spoiled, and inside each house, the drama is immense.”
Government and Civil Defense Response
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has called for residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols. The government has mobilized efforts to assess damage, but many families are still waiting for aid and clear timelines for recovery. In Havana alone, authorities reported that 850 homes sustained damage, and over 200 schools in Artemisa are temporarily closed until repairs can be made.
Aerial images from Cuban state media show extensive destruction to homes, government buildings, and crops across the western provinces. In areas such as Nuevo Vedado, the brief restoration of power over the weekend brought temporary relief, only for outages to return a few minutes later.
Cuba’s Future Amid Crisis
Cuba’s cascading crises highlight the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions. The nation’s aging power grid, combined with increasing natural disasters, poses an ongoing risk to millions of Cubans struggling to survive amid shortages of food, water, and electricity. As the country’s recovery efforts unfold, the resilience of the Cuban people will be tested as never before.
As the international community observes Cuba’s struggle, the need for external aid and support is evident, with many hoping that coordinated efforts can help stabilize the nation and provide a foundation for future resilience.
