Universities in Villa Clara suspend classes indefinitely due to the serious energy crisis in Cuba.

The universities of Villa Clara have suspended classes indefinitely due to the severe energy crisis in the country, which has reached its peak with the total collapse of the national electric system since last Friday.

The official page of the Villa Clara government reproduced this Sunday statements from the Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas – UCLV and the Medical Sciences University, which announced the suspension of academic activities "until further notice" due to "the current objective conditions of the country."

"The administration of the Central University 'Marta Abreu' of Las Villas – UCLV, taking into account the current objective conditions in the country, has decided to postpone teaching activities until further notice," the institution announced through its Telegram channel.

"The measures to be taken with the planned activities will be communicated in due course, taking into account the national scenario. Remember to stay informed through our official channels," urged the UCLV.

On its official Facebook page, the university did not publish the notice, but it did announce the departure of the scholarship students from Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey to their homes.

For its part, the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara (UCMVC) announced on its social media profiles that “due to the energy situation that the country is still facing (…) it will not resume teaching activities until further notice.”

The measure exempts "students in their final years, who will incorporate themselves into their usual activities." However, it warns them that "if they encounter any specific problem that prevents their incorporation, they must immediately communicate with the FEU direction, the UJC, and their dean."

The UCMVC urged students to "stay informed through the official pages of the University."

Before the general collapse of the National Electro-Energetic System (SEN), which has left Cuba without electricity since last Friday morning, the Ministry of Education had announced the suspension of classes for that day, for reasons that turned out to be contradictory compared to accounts from official journalists and other profiles.

In a brief statement, the MINED reported early on Friday that classes would not resume until Monday at all levels of education "due to the existing weather conditions in the country."

However, officialist journalists and other profiles, such as Lázaro Manuel Alonso, claimed that the suspension of teaching activities across the country was due to the "energy situation," the same situation that prompted a statement from Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz on national television and radio on Thursday night.

In a troubled public appearance, alongside officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Marrero reported on the energy crisis in the country. The prime minister made it clear that the situation was extremely critical and indicated that no short-term solution was expected.

Meanwhile, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) issued a statement detailing the measures taken in response to the energy emergency.

Just 12 hours later, the SEN experienced its first total disconnection, which has not been resolved to this day. The general blackout that Cuba is plunged into remains unaddressed after more than 48 hours, while regime authorities, UNE executives, and workers attempt to restore the system.

Total and partial collapses have marked the recovery efforts of the SEN, while millions of Cubans suffer the consequences of two critical days without electricity supply.

This Saturday morning, during the process of restoring the SEN after the total blackout on Friday, the system collapsed again. The electrical current that was reaching a few thousand users across Cuba and powering the start-up of thermoelectric plants through distributed generation disappeared once more, along with the hope of overcoming the crisis.

The UNE once again embarked on the reconnection process, and the second attempt seemed to progress throughout the day, as it was reported that 11% of the entire electrical demand in the country had been restored. However, something went wrong again at the startup, and the SEN collapsed once more.

At the time of writing this note, the thermoelectric plants in the country remain disconnected or in startup processes, but not generating energy for the SEN.

After so many hours without electricity, Cubans began to show their indignation in protests in the streets, banging pots and shouting demands for a solution.