Cuba has been experiencing rolling blackouts lasting over half of the day, adding a new layer to its ongoing economic malaise.
Millions of residents being left to endure scorching summer temperatures and high levels of humidity after breakdowns forced six plants offline.
The only provider didn't provide a clear timeline for a return to full capacity. Local press reported residents appeared to be resigned to their fate, seeking fresh air on the streets.
Blackouts have become a staple of Cuban life over the past years, but the situation has gotten increasingly worse as the country grapples with a deep economic crisis that has put almost 90% of the population under the poverty line.
A recent study published by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) and titled "The State of Social Rights in Cuba," indicates that 89% of the population will end the year living in extreme poverty.
More granularly, 86% of Cuban households exist on the margins of survival, with 61% unable to afford basic necessities.
The OCDH conducted interviews with over 1,000 adults across 78 municipalities, revealing that 72% of respondents consider the food crisis the most pressing issue. A significant portion of the population, particularly those over 70, struggle to afford or access sufficient food. Moreover, only 15% of Cubans regularly eat three meals a day.
The study also points to blackouts, high living costs, low wages, corruption, and deteriorating public health as major concerns.
Public dissatisfaction with the government's economic and social management is at an all-time high, with 91% of respondents giving such an answer and 4% viewing it favorably. The depreciation of the Cuban peso and high unemployment, with 12% of respondents jobless and 69% of them unemployed for over a year, further compound the crisis.
The Cuban government's acknowledgment of the dire situation is reflected in its unprecedented request for assistance from the World Food Program to supply milk for young children.
This economic decline has led to a significant exodus, with the Cuban population decreasing by 18% over the past three years, according to a study by a local demographer.
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