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Vicente de la O Levy, Cuba's Minister of Energy and Mines, is traveling to Santiago de Cuba, where he promised to "oversee the recovery efforts of the electrical system," which was affected by Hurricane Melissa.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported on their Facebook account that “our minister Vicente de la O Levy is already on his way to Santiago de Cuba to begin recovery efforts as feasible.”
Earlier, the head himself confirmed on X his movement towards the eastern region.
"We are heading to Santiago de Cuba, and as soon as possible, we will begin recovery efforts. Cuba, stay strong! We will move forward!" wrote the minister on social media, showcasing the regime's usual triumphalism.
However, the reality is different and it is overwhelming: Hurricane Melissa left a critical situation in eastern Cuba, with widespread blackouts, severe damage to transmission lines, and communities cut off from communication.
Specialized brigades from the UNE have been working since dawn to restore basic services, although the extent of the damages is still being assessed.
This Tuesday, the eastern part of Cuba experienced a power outage in the late afternoon and evening following the total disconnection of the circuits in that region of the country, as part of the measures announced in anticipation of the imminent impact of Hurricane Melissa, which at that moment was advancing toward the area with winds exceeding 230 kilometers per hour.
The information was published by the Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba on its official Telegram channel, where it confirmed that the disconnection affected the entire South Eastern system while the "deactivation of the transmission network" was being carried out in that part of the country.
According to the statement, the service was maintained solely from the West to Camagüey, with the aim of protecting the stability of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) during the passage of the cyclone.
Additionally, the company announced the disconnection of the main thermal power plants in the region: Antonio Maceo (Rente) in Santiago de Cuba; Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) in Holguín; and the Moa Fuel Plant, due to their geographical location and the direct threat posed by hurricane winds.
"The process is carried out in a controlled manner to maintain the integrity of the operation of the National Electroenergetic System in the central-eastern area," the statement specified.
The eastern provinces of Cuba woke up this Wednesday completely disconnected from the SEN, following UNE's decision to cut off the supply across the region as part of the emergency protocol due to Hurricane Melissa.
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