Acute energy and FX crisis deepens; Russian tanker/Turkey plant aid amid blackouts/Guiteras failure
Key Questions
What caused the recent major blackouts in Cuba?
A boiler failure at the Guiteras thermoelectric plant led to 1845MW blackouts, affecting 10 million people. Power outages have worsened with another unit of a thermoelectric plant out of service.
How is Russia assisting Cuba amid the energy crisis?
Russia unloaded approximately 730,000 barrels of fuel from the Kolodkin tanker in Matanzas with US approval, and a second tanker carrying about 740,000 barrels is en route, defying the blockade.
What aid has Turkey provided to Cuba?
Turkey sent the 76MW floating power plant Belgin Sultan, which is moored in Havana to help alleviate the energy crisis.
What are the humanitarian impacts of Cuba's energy crisis?
Hospitals have been severely affected, leading to baby deaths; water supplies pose an 87% epidemic risk. Hundreds of Cuban women rallied against the US energy blockade amid deepening crisis.
What is the economic impact and outlook for Cuba?
Tourism has crashed with 70,000 visitors in February (50% drop) and suspensions through summer; EIU forecasts -7.2% GDP contraction. UN seeks $94M in aid with US talks ongoing, but relief is short-term.
Guiteras boiler failure triggers 1845MW blackouts (10M affected); Kolodkin unloaded ~730k bbls Matanzas (US ok); second ~740k bbls en route; Turkey 76MW Belgin Sultan moored Havana; hospitals hit/baby deaths, water 87% epidemic risk, tourism crash (70k Feb/50% drop, suspensions thru summer); UN $94M/US talks; EIU -7.2% GDP; short relief.