In brief
At least six lives have been lost due to Hurricane Oscar's destructive impact in Cuba, prompting widespread despair and protests amidst widespread power outages affecting millions.
Hurricane Oscar has left destruction in its wake, particularly in eastern Cuba, where catastrophic winds and rain have caused widespread damage. President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed the tragic toll, stating that six fatalities were reported in San Antonio, the hardest-hit municipality. The hurricane struck on a Sunday afternoon as a category one storm near Baracoa, later weakening to a tropical storm. Guantánamo province suffered extensively, with over 1,000 homes reported damaged. As the hurricane made landfall, Cuba was already experiencing a nationwide power outage, plunging around 10 million residents into darkness. President Díaz-Canel noted that some regions remained inaccessible due to the storm's aftermath, although rescue teams are working diligently to reach them. He highlighted unprecedented flooding levels in affected areas, which have sparked widespread concern among residents.In the wake of the storm, many Cubans have openly protested due to prolonged power outages. Gathering in the streets, they have banged pots and pans, calling for the restoration of electricity. While power outages are common in Cuba, the recent failure of the major power plant exacerbated the situation, triggering a nationwide blackout that left countless families in despair. One frustrated resident described the dire circumstances of his 85-year-old grandmother, pleading for cold water after being without electricity since Friday. Another voice of distress lamented four days without power, detailing the spoiling of food and struggles for their children. The Cuban government faces mounting pressure as citizens are grappling with escalating shortages of food and fuel amid the island's most severe economic crisis in thirty years. President Díaz-Canel laid part of the blame on the ongoing U.S. trade embargo, insisting that efforts to restore power would not cease until all areas were serviced. The situation remains dire as the nation reflects on the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar while also contending with a lingering economic plight.
