Cuba faces energy crisis as Russian fuel shipments arrive
Approximately half of Cuba's territory is currently without electricity due to an energy crisis on the island, as reported by local Cuban Radio Martí. Two tankers carrying a total of 139,000 tonnes of diesel fuel have arrived in Cuba. Although the shipments departed from ports in Denmark and the Netherlands, they were sent by Russia.
The radio station discovered through conversations with residents in various parts of the island that prolonged electricity shortages are affecting provinces such as Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, and Havana.
According to Radio Martí, in several towns on the island, power outages have lasted for several days, which, as the station reported, increases the population's dissatisfaction.
It was noted that the electricity shortages have also led to widespread water and internet shortages.
Since October, there have been regular stoppages at Cuba's main Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas, located in the western part of the island. The company responsible for the distribution of electricity, UNE, claims that the widespread power shortages at this power plant in recent days are caused by failures in several power units.
As of Sunday, according to UNE management, the power plant in Matanzas is expected to resume full operations following repairs that began on Tuesday.
Two tankers have arrived in Cuba with a total load of 139,000 tonnes of diesel fuel.
This shipment, estimated at around £65 million, is believed to have been financed by a loan from Russia, according to the independent Cuban online newspaper 14ymedio.
Radio Martí reminded listeners that Russian authorities announced at the beginning of November that they would send fuel to the island to help address the ongoing energy crisis. The Kremlin declared at the time that it would support the authorities in Havana with a loan to purchase at least 88,000 tonnes of diesel fuel.
According to Cuban media, the first tanker that arrived at the port in Matanzas, located in the western part of the island, is the Liberian-flagged vessel "Corossol." It set sail for the Caribbean island from Rotterdam on 4th November with 97,000 tonnes of fuel.
The second diesel fuel shipment arrived at the port in Matanzas via the German vessel "Seamarlin." It departed for Cuba from the port of Skagen in Denmark on 4th November with a load of 42,000 tonnes of fuel.
