Cuba's energy crisis: Tankers idle as shortages worsen
Struggling with a fuel shortage, Cuba lacks the funds for imports, as independent Cuban media reported on Thursday regarding the difficulties in unloading the cargo ship PVT Clara. This ship departed from the Russian city of Kaliningrad in mid-September, heading towards the Caribbean island.
According to the 14ymedio portal, despite the Cuban government's announcement at the beginning of October about the ship's arrival at the port of Havana, the ship waited 42 days at anchor for unloading.
According to findings by 14ymedio and Radio Marti, the Cuban government, grappling with a severe energy crisis, has a minimal budget for fuel imports. Independent media have concluded that this limited budget is the reason for the prolonged waiting times for tankers at anchorages.
Sells 15,000 pairs of glasses a month. "The margin reaches 90 per cent."
14ymedio reported that the situation is similar for the ship Eco Merlin, transporting 35,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas, which has been waiting near the Cuban coast for 50 days. The report noted that the fuel shortage is worsening power and water supply interruptions on the island and fuelling anti-government sentiments.
The portal reported that the Cuban authorities are concealing from the public the extended waiting times for fuel transport ships to enter the port.
The Havana regime provided false information
It was also revealed that the Havana regime falsely claimed that the ship from Kaliningrad arrived on the island with a cargo of "vegetable oil."
According to Radio Marti, over the past month, more than 80 anti-government demonstrations have been organised in Cuba due to widespread energy and fuel shortages.
On 6 November, Hurricane Rafael caused a total blackout in the Caribbean, home to over 10 million people. In mid-October, Cuba was cut off from electricity due to a power plant failure, with energy supplies gradually restored over several days. Meanwhile, Hurricane Oscar hit the island, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people.
The social and economic situation in Cuba is currently considered the worst since the revolution led by Fidel Castro in the 1950s. There is a shortage not only of electricity but also of essential goods, including food, medicine, and fuels.
