The Government of Cuba has announced the suspension of work and teaching activities for Friday and Saturday due to the energy crisis affecting the country. This decision was made with the aim of contributing to the saving of electric energy, thus mitigating the impact on the population.
The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feito Cabrera, announced on social media that the measure will be applied on February 14 and 15, except for activities considered "essential". The energy situation in Cuba has recently worsened, with power outages lasting more than 24 hours in various cities and scheduled suspensions in Havana.
The Cuban National Electric System requires between 8 billion and 10 billion dollars to be reactivated, an investment that is currently beyond the Government's reach. The energy crisis has intensified since late 2024, with multiple national blackouts and significant impacts on the country's economy, which contracted by 1.9% in 2023.
Amid this situation, the International Book Fair in Havana faces uncertainty due to the suspension of work and teaching activities. The general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines warned about the complexity of the electrical situation, predicting another complicated day ahead, although a gradual improvement in service is expected.
The blackouts have triggered protests in Cuba in previous years and have been linked to social outbreaks. The lack of investment in the energy sector has left the country’s thermoelectric plants outdated, along with fuel supply issues. Independent experts highlight the chronic underfunding of this sector, which has been state-controlled since 1959.
