The Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel announced this Sunday the suspension of the celebrations for Culture Day on the island due to the complex energy situation the country is facing and the impact of Hurricane Oscar.
"Due to the complex energy situation and the hurricane, we cannot celebrate the #CubanCultureDay, in memory of those who 156 years ago went out to conquer independence. But we have Homeland, Revolution, and socialism, which means a guarantee of protection for all," expressed the communist leader through his account on X.
In addition, in a notice published on the presidency's website, the regime announced that it has decided to suspend non-essential administrative activities and classes during Monday, October 21, Tuesday, October 22, and Wednesday, October 23.
The communist government supported this measure due to the proximity of Hurricane Oscar to the eastern region of Cuba and the efforts to restore the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) after its total collapse on the morning of last Friday, which has escalated the already severe energy crisis that the country has been experiencing for months.
The official communication specified that "workers who are mobilized under these circumstances" will receive the payment of their average salary, and those who do not attend work due to this suspension will receive "the payment of a salary guarantee equivalent to the salary scale of the position they occupy."
Vital services for the population will remain operational during this period, but the cancellation of the rest of the activities adds to the emergency measures taken by the Havana regime.
Since last Friday, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) issued a statement detailing the measures taken due to the emergency in which the country finds itself.
The measures, which came into effect that same day and were updated this Sunday, are the following:
-All services that are not vital and generate energy costs are suspended.
-The Ministry of Culture (MINCULT) suspends cultural activities, both in the state and non-state sectors.
-Only essential centers such as hospitals and those that produce food remain in service.
- Activities in nightclubs, recreation centers, and others that generate high concentrations of people are suspended.
The Ministry of Education (MINED) has suspended teaching activities from Friday to Sunday at all educational levels.
-All Energy Councils will be activated at the national, provincial, and municipal levels.
-Only essential personnel will remain working at the workplaces.
The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, appeared on Thursday night in a troubled appearance on Cuban radio and television alongside officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines to provide information on the current crisis.
Marrero Cruz made it clear that the situation is extremely critical, and indicated that no short-term solution is expected.
"There are three important factors that affect the electricity generation deficit: the state of the infrastructure, the lack of fuel, and the increase in demand," he acknowledged, although he emphasized that the lack of fuel is the most significant of the three.
What do you think?
COMMENTFiled under: