Related videos:
A malfunction in the generator at the Colón Telecommunications Center has caused a widespread interruption of telecommunications services in several localities in the province of Matanzas, according to a statement from the Telecommunications Company of Cuba S.A. (ETECSA) on its official social media platforms.
"Due to a malfunction in the generator at the Colón Telecommunications Center and, as a result of the power outage, fixed, mobile, and data services in the area are interrupted," the company detailed in an informative note published this Tuesday.
The outage has affected not only the municipality of Colón but also several population centers in five other municipalities in Matanzas.
During power outages, most telecommunications services are suspended in:
-Colón: municipal seat, Mexico, CAI René Fraga, San José de los Ramos, Colón Oeste, and Agüica.
-Calimete: August 6, Amarillas, Manguito, Céspedes Rabí, CAI Reynold García.
-Los Arabos: San Pedro, Mayabón, Zorrilla Cuatro Esquinas, CAI Mario Muñoz.
-Perico: municipal head and CAI España.
-Jagüey Grande: Agramonte, San José de Marcos, Torriente, San Bernardo.
-Ciénaga de Zapata: Playa Larga, Playa Girón, Soplillar, Los Hondones, Cayo Ramona, and Pálpite.
Although the Colón Telecommunications Center has backup batteries, these "are not sufficient to maintain service for the entire duration of the outages," ETECSA explained.
"The state-owned company added, 'They only allow a few hours of operation after the power cut.'"
Blackouts and energy crisis: A recurring scenario
The incident adds to the complex energy situation the country is facing. For months, Cuba has been experiencing a severe electrical crisis that has intensified blackouts across the nation.
For this Tuesday, the forecast for power outages, according to the daily report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), will exceed 2,000 MW.
Failures in thermal power plants, fuel shortages, and a lack of investment in infrastructure have turned power outages into a daily routine that affects households, workplaces, and key institutions, such as those in telecommunications.
The province of Matanzas, due to its location and industrial characteristics, has been particularly affected by this situation.
ETECSA, as a state-owned company, relies on the energy availability of the national electric system to maintain its operational infrastructure.
Although key centers like the one in Colón have auxiliary systems, these do not always ensure stability in the event of prolonged failures or technical damage.
Silence about the true extent of the problem
ETECSA's statement does not specify how long the disruption has been ongoing, nor does it provide an estimate of when services might be fully restored.
It also does not mention whether the malfunctioning generator will be repaired or replaced soon.
The statement merely assures that its "workers are working to resolve the issue" and expresses apologies for the inconvenience.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused”, concludes the note published by ETECSA Matanzas, without providing further details on the cause of the failure or the contingency protocols that are applied in these cases.
In a country where access to the internet, mobile phones, and data has become essential in daily life, issues like this highlight the fragility of the telecommunications system.
In moments of emergency or power outages, the ability to communicate depends on infrastructures that are often not equipped to handle the demand or prolonged power cuts.
The situation in Matanzas is not isolated. Other provinces in the country have also reported partial or total interruptions of ETECSA services during power outages, which raises concerns about the system's ability to maintain basic connectivity under adverse conditions.
Filed under: