Main news from Cuba today, October 22.

In the last 24 hours, Cuba has experienced critical moments marked by the energy collapse that has affected most of the island for days. The situation has generated reactions both inside and outside the country, as well as gestures of solidarity, while the population faces a widespread blackout that does not seem to have an immediate solution. Below, we present the most notable events in Cuba during October 21 and the early morning of October 22, 2024.

Massive blackout in Cuba: Satellite photos reveal the impact

The general blackout in Cuba, which began last Friday, continues to affect millions of people. Satellite photos captured the magnitude of this event, showing the island almost completely in the dark, according to images shared by NASA and disseminated by analyst Ryan Berg. Tropical storm Oscar has worsened the crisis in the eastern provinces of the country, such as Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

Havana is trying to recover, but breakdowns persist.

In Havana, the Electric Company reported that the electrical system has been partially restored, although several municipalities, such as Playa and Centro Habana, still have no electricity due to outages. Authorities have indicated that they are working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible, but problems still persist in many areas of the city.

The U.S. is monitoring the energy crisis in Cuba.

The government of the United States has declared that it is monitoring the energy crisis in Cuba and does not rule out offering humanitarian assistance. However, U.S. authorities have pointed out that so far the Cuban government has not requested official help. From the White House, it has been emphasized that the blackouts are a consequence of poor internal management of the energy system and not due to the U.S. embargo, as the Cuban regime has claimed.

Activists and restaurants are mobilizing to help the population.

In the midst of the crisis, activists in Cerro, Havana, have organized the distribution of free lunches to low-income people. This initiative has been key in helping many families who lost food due to the lack of refrigeration during power outages. In Old Havana, the private restaurant "Ley Seca" has also offered free food to its neighbors to prevent perishable food from going to waste.

Shortage of liquefied gas and speculation in Ciego de Ávila.

The energy situation has also resulted in a severe shortage of liquefied gas. In Ciego de Ávila, speculation has led to the price of gas cylinders reaching 60,000 pesos, an exorbitant amount for most Cubans. This abuse has caused outrage among citizens, who are already facing long power outages and difficulties cooking.

Celebrations Amidst the Darkness: National Culture Day

Despite the situation of blackouts, the Cuban government celebrated National Culture Day in Bayamo, commemorating the first performance of the National Anthem. These celebrations have been criticized by many citizens, who believe that the government is disconnected from the real difficulties faced by the population, such as the lack of electricity and basic resources.

Solidarity in difficult times: A young man gives away caldosa in Caibarién

In the midst of the crisis, a young Cuban from Caibarién has been applauded on social media for his gesture of cooking and giving caldosa to his neighbors. At a time when many are trying to take advantage of the situation for profit, this act of solidarity has been a demonstration of the resilience of the Cuban population.

The regime seeks international help to resolve the crisis.

The Cuban government, through Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, is in talks with several countries, such as Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia, to receive international assistance aimed at resolving the energy crisis. However, there are still no immediate solutions in sight, and the country's energy infrastructure remains in a critical condition due to a lack of investment for years.

Cuban influencers criticize the situation from hotels and social media.

The Cuban influencer Flor de Cuba has generated controversy by taking refuge in a luxury hotel in Havana to escape the blackouts. Although her followers have criticized her decision, Flor has defended her stance, arguing that she is only seeking to protect her family during the crisis.