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PM Modi Highlights UPI Expansion at BRICS as India’s Digital Payments Go Global

July 7, 2025, 1:02 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez on Sunday on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focusing on boosting cooperation in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, traditional medicine, and digital infrastructure, especially Unified Payment Interface (UPI).

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, “PM Narendra Modi met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez of Cuba on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Both leaders exchanged views on various facets of India-Cuba relationship including in the areas of economic cooperation, biotechnology, pharma, Ayurveda and traditional medicine, Digital Public Infrastructure and UPI, disaster management, and capacity building.”

UPI Makes Waves in the Caribbean and Beyond

The discussion on UPI comes just days after Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s flagship digital payment platform during PM Modi’s historic visit — the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 26 years.

In another milestone during his recent Ghana visit, Modi addressed the nation’s Parliament and emphasised growing trade ties while offering to share India’s fintech experience.

“In the field of FinTech, India is ready to share its experience of UPI digital payments with Ghana,” he stated.

UPI’s Global Expansion Strategy Gains Momentum

India’s digital payment system, led by UPI, has emerged as a model for financial inclusion and digital transformation worldwide. The platform currently processes over 100 billion transactions annually. In 2024, France became the first European country to adopt UPI on a wide scale, with more countries joining since.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has actively facilitated the platform’s global use. It introduced UPI Global Acceptance, which enables QR code-based payments at select international merchants directly from Indian bank accounts via UPI-powered apps.

‘Digital India’ Marks a Decade of Impact

Highlighting the success of India’s digital revolution, PM Modi remarked, “From how we govern, to how we learn, transact, and build, Digital India is everywhere,”during the 10-year celebration of the Digital India initiative on July 1.

Currently, UPI is operational in seven countries: the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius.

“India Stack, which is our digital backbone, has enabled platforms like UPI, which now handles 100+ billion transactions a year. Around half of all real time digital transactions happen in India,” PM Modi said.

The meeting with the Cuban President adds to the growing momentum of UPI’s global acceptance and India’s vision of digital diplomacy.

How Cuba’s Last High-Profile Dissident Turns Aid Into Activism?

April 14, 2025, 5:42 pm

On a recent morning in Santiago de Cuba, Jose Daniel Ferrer stood on his front porch greeting warmly a small cluster of elderly and ill neighbors. As he shook hands and inquired about their health, inside his small house, a team of his wife, Nelva Ismarays Ortega, and some dozen assistants served hot meals—rations of chicken, rice, pumpkin, potato, yucca, spaghetti cooked in huge cauldrons over an open fire in the backyard.

This is not, though, a regular neighborhood soup kitchen.

Ferrer, a bespectacled man in his 54th year, is one of Cuba’s best-known and last dissidents. He established the opposition movement National Patriotic Union (Unpacu) in 2011 and claims his purpose lies in political reform. “Political activism is my reason for being,” Reuters quotes Ferrer as saying in an interview conducted recently at his house on the outskirts of Santiago. “The only solution to hunger here and across Cuba is to introduce democracy.”

State Pushback and Community Threats

Such outspoken comments are unusual in Cuba, a socialist one-party state where criticism is not welcome. Ferrer believes his campaign, which started several months ago, will prompt wider change. His kitchen fed more than 1,000 people a day at its peak in April. But he asserts that soon afterwards, Cuban state security blocked access to his street, threatening residents with loss of government benefits or detention for taking his assistance.

Though Cuban officials did not reply to Reuters’ questions regarding Ferrer’s assertion, his team and other dissidents supported his version. In a five-hour tour of the area, Reuters did not witness any direct police intervention.

Josefina Reyes, 34, a volunteer in Ferrer’s kitchen, said she had just been threatened by officials. In spite of the threat, she denied having any political motive. “As far as I can tell I’ve done nothing wrong,” she said while serving portions of stew.

Support from United States

The U.S. State Department has also taken action. On April 2, it tweeted on X, “We stand with Jose Daniel as he delivers life-saving assistance to the people of Santiago de Cuba. The Cuban regime needs to be caring for its people, not suppressing them – those accountable will be held accountable.”

Cuban authorities, meanwhile, frequently fault the nation’s economic crisis and shortages on the decades-old U.S. trade embargo and other sanctions imposed during the presidency of former President Donald Trump. The regime has a comprehensive system of subsidies, running almost 1,500 soup kitchens, the Ministry of Interior Commerce reports.

While in the four such state-owned kitchens in Havana, visited by Reuters, rice, bread, vegetables, and cucumber salad were the offerings at rates of 2 to 25 pesos. Nevertheless, these lunches were not as filling as at Ferrer’s initiative.

Nevertheless, some of the residents do enjoy the assistance. Seventy-five-year-old Adolfo Guillermo Mateo, who frequents a government-run soup kitchen, said, “Sometimes the food is good, sometimes it’s average, but the workers here do what they can to provide us with the best service possible.”

From Prison to Public Aid

Ferrer, who was imprisoned after the huge anti-government protests in July 2021, the largest since Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959 was freed on parole in the early part of this year. His release came after a deal between the Biden administration and Cuba, brokered by the Vatican. After he returned to his regular routine, he said he was amazed by the hunger and misery that he saw.

Though the government in Cuba casts aside Ferrer as a U.S.-funded agitator, he asserts he espouses only peaceful civil disobedience and refuses U.S. government financing this year. Instead, he maintains, money has flowed in from an estimated 400 private donors, mostly Cuban immigrant workers residing in the U.S. who make modest contributions. He also stated three members of the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami gave him start-up funds out of their personal accounts.

Because of a Trump administration pullback of funding for foreign aid, Ferrer says he is looking elsewhere. “To be effective, it’s extremely important that policies enable us to ease shortages, hunger and extreme misery in Cuba,” he said. “We’re hoping that the U.S. will release funds to assist.”

Cuba Completes Prisoner Release Deal Despite Trump’s Reversal

March 11, 2025, 2:00 pm

Cuba has completed the early release of 553 prisoners as part of an agreement brokered in the final days of Joe Biden’s presidency. However, after taking office, Donald Trump scrapped the deal, halting further releases. Maricela Soza Ravelo, vice president of Cuba’s Supreme Court, confirmed on Monday (March 10) that the process had been successfully completed.

She revealed that authorities processed 378 applications in January and 175 in February. The deal, reached on January 14, led to Biden removing Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. In return, Cuba agreed to release 553 detainees.

Trump Ends the Deal, Stopping Additional Releases

Despite the agreement, the arrangement did not last long. Trump assumed office on January 20 and swiftly revoked the Vatican-mediated deal. By that time, Cuban authorities had already freed 192 prisoners, but the remaining releases were put on hold.

Most of those released had been arrested during the Cuban government’s crackdown on the rare mass protests of July 2021. Thousands of Cubans had demonstrated against economic struggles and political repression.

Even after Trump canceled the agreement, sporadic prisoner releases continued in the following weeks. However, Cuban officials have not disclosed a complete list of those freed, and they have not announced any plans for future releases.

Hundreds of Political Prisoners Still Detained

The human rights platform “Todos,” which tracks political prisoners, has confirmed the release of 212 individuals. Among them are well-known opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro.

However, other high-profile dissidents remain behind bars. Artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo are still serving sentences of five and seven years, respectively.

Official Cuban records indicate that around 500 people arrested during the July 2021 protests have been sentenced. Some received prison terms of up to 25 years, while others have been released after completing their sentences.

International Concerns Over Political Prisoners

Despite these releases, human rights organizations and the US Embassy in Havana estimate that approximately 1,000 political prisoners remain in Cuban prisons. Activists continue to call for their freedom, urging international pressure on the Cuban government.

US Tightens Visa Rules, Targets Cuba’s Lucrative Overseas Medical Program

February 26, 2025, 12:14 am

United States has broadened its current visa restriction policy to cover Cuban officials associated with a labor program that sends Cuban workers overseas, especially in the health sector, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported on Tuesday.

In a statement, Rubio announced the prolonged restrictions will target individuals and their close relatives thought to be behind the program, which he termed as “forced labor.” He said the same sanctions have already been leveled against various people, including Venezuelan government officials.

Cuba’s medical personnel are a major source of export income for the nation, with doctors being exported to other countries across the globe. The program was, however, condemned by Rubio, who claimed that it enriched the government while denying the citizens access to much-needed medical care.

“Cuba’s labor export programs, including medical missions, enrich the regime while denying ordinary Cubans the medical care they urgently need at home,” he said.

The Cuban authorities have yet to react to the announcement.

Washington and Havana have had tense diplomatic relations since Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959, with a longstanding US embargo on trade that has existed for decades. The new visa restrictions are the latest in Washington’s hardline approach to Havana.

Cuba In Crisis: Widespread Blackouts Shut Schools, Halt Work Amid Fuel Crisis

February 14, 2025, 9:58 pm

Cuba closed schools and halted non-essential work on Friday after a major power plant outage heightened the nation’s chronic energy shortage, prompting widespread blackouts to sweep the island.

Official government reports say six of Cuba’s 15 oil-burning power plants are still operating, but critical fuel shortages have rendered backup diesel generators unable to prop up the collapsing grid. The deteriorating crisis has caused the worst blackouts in over a year, when widespread grid collapses blacked out the entire nation and triggered isolated protests and unrest.

The island’s old power grid has groaned under the weight of decreasing oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. In a move to alleviate the pressure, officials declared non-essential work and schooling suspended, while keeping basic services going.

Even in Havana usually spared the worst of blackouts the inhabitants reported between six and ten hours of outage during the course of the week. In remote towns and cities, outages lasted as much as 20 hours a day. The protracted blackouts have exacerbated people’s ire, piling on to an already desperate scenario underpinned by shortages of fuel, medicine, and food. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, deteriorating conditions have persuaded over a million Cubans to emigrate out of the island in search of a better future.

Cuban officials have attributed the crisis to the longstanding US trade embargo and severe sanctions during the Trump era, which have increasingly limited the ability to get fuel and required grid upkeep supplies. Last month, President Donald Trump revived restrictions that were temporarily rolled back by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Authorities have promised residents that electricity output is likely to increase slightly this weekend as more fuel supplies are made available. Nevertheless, fears persist regarding the long-term viability of Cuba’s ailing energy industry.

Cuban Government To Release 553 Prisoners After Vatican Talks Amid US Sanction Easing

January 15, 2025, 3:21 am

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his government would gradually release 553 prisoners Tuesday following talks with the Vatican. That is coming just days after the Biden administration said it planned to ease a raft of sanctions on Cuba.

Cuba welcomed the relaxation of restrictions as a “correct” move but expressed concerns that it might be too limited in scope and effectiveness. Cuban officials warned that future US administrations could potentially reverse these changes, making the current adjustments insufficient in the long term.

The easing of sanctions, which includes relaxing restrictions on travel and remittances, marks a significant development in US-Cuba relations. However, the Cuban government has often criticized past American policies and their impact on the island’s economy.

Cuba’s Tourism Industry Faces Decline Amid Blackouts and Shortages

December 19, 2024, 5:02 pm

As Cuba grapples with worsening blackouts, food and fuel shortages, and labor issues, the Caribbean island is finding it increasingly difficult to attract tourists. According to Cuban government statistics, Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia announced that Cuba welcomed 2.2 million international visitors this year, significantly below the target of 3.2 million and less than half of pre-pandemic levels.

This decline has stalled what was a tentative recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, and tourism expert Paolo Spadoni warns that reversing this trend may prove challenging. “Unfortunately, Cuba is becoming every day more unique for all the wrong reasons, and thus more unattractive as a tourist destination,” said Spadoni, an economist at Augusta University in Georgia. “Prospects for 2025 are not encouraging.”

Cuba has long drawn tourists with its unique charm

Cuba has long drawn tourists with its unique charm, characterized by vintage 1950s cars and towns that seem untouched by modern commercial development. However, recent nationwide blackouts have severely impacted daily life, including the tourism sector. While some larger hotels have backup generators, many budget accommodations and rental homes lack such facilities, leaving guests without air conditioning in the tropical heat.

Taxi driver David Sarzo, who operates a vintage U.S. sedan in Havana, expressed concern over the ongoing crisis, stating, “We cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel… which is leading tourism agents to steer clients away from Cuba.”

In response to the recent electrical grid failures, the tourism ministry attempted to reassure potential visitors, stating, “We are prepared to face the current challenges and ensure that tourism activities are developed normally.” However, the negative news has spread, prompting travel advisories from other countries.

Canada, the largest source of tourists to Cuba, has advised its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine, and fuel. Similarly, Germany has urged travelers to “carefully consider the necessity” of visiting the island.

Several travel businesses have reacted to the situation. Canadian travel agency Sunwing announced it had removed 26 hotels from its list of destinations in Cuba, citing “volatility… that may shake consumer confidence.” Additionally, Germany’s Condor Airline, which has operated flights to Cuba for decades, stated it would cease flights to the island starting in May, opting for destinations with higher demand.

Canadian tourist Kyle Cong, who visited Cuba in December of the previous year, noted a significant drop in tourist numbers this year, attributing the decline to reports of recent blackouts. “People get concerned,” he said, reflecting the growing apprehension among potential visitors.

Nationwide Blackouts Hit Cuba After National Grid Collapses

December 4, 2024, 7:17 pm

Cuba’s national electrical system collapsed early Wednesday after the country’s biggest power plant failed, in one of the latest episodes in a series of grid failures. The Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas, Cuba’s highest electricity producer, had broken down around 2 am, causing the power shutdown, according to the Cuban government.

Cuba’s aging oil-fueled plants, struggling to keep up with power demands, faced a crisis this year with dwindling imports of oil from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico. That has led to multiple blackouts across the island this month.

The power failure left Havana almost completely dark, as only a few large hotels and government buildings were lit. According to reports on social media, the island is reported to be blacked out. The government has not, however, confirmed the extent of the outage.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines said they are striving to restore the electrical system. Cuba’s grid has suffered similar collapses in October, fueled by fuel shortages and Hurricane Oscar, and again in November with Hurricane Rafael.

Hurricane Rafael Ravages Cuba: Knocks Power Grid, Wrecks Homes

November 8, 2024, 3:05 am

Cuba is reeling after a powerful category 3 hurricane, Rafael, tore through the island, knocking out the country’s power grid, downing trees, and damaging infrastructure. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported initially.

Hurricane Rafael crossed Cuba’s western region on Wednesday evening, about 45 miles (75km) west of Havana. José Ignacio Dimas, a security guard returning from his night shift, found his apartment building in the historic center of the city had collapsed.

“The entire front wall of the building fell,” said Ignacio Dimas, his voice tight with emotion, as he surveyed the damage on Thursday morning. Like many buildings in the capital, it was old and lacked proper maintenance. Approximately 50,000 people took shelter in Havana, with thousands more seeking refuge in flood-prone areas or flimsy homes just south and west of the capital. The main road from Havana to Batabanó was littered with downed utility poles and wires.

Must Read: Hurricane Rafael Again Triggers Nationwide Blackout In Cuba Amid Destructive Storm

Lázaro Guerra, electricity director at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, reported that power had been partially restored in the western region of the island, and generation units were coming back online. However, he cautioned that full restoration would be slow as crews prioritized safety.

Cuba had already endured a tough October, with island-wide blackouts due to the ongoing energy crisis, followed by a deadly hurricane that claimed at least six lives in the eastern part of the island. These disasters have fueled growing discontent amidst the nation’s ongoing economic crisis, which has driven many Cubans to migrate.

As Hurricane Rafael moved across Cuba on Wednesday, it weakened to a category 2 storm as it entered the Gulf of Mexico, headed toward Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

By late Thursday morning, Rafael was located about 200 miles west-northwest of Havana, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h), moving west-northwest at 9 mph.

Must Read: More Than 66,000 Cubans Evacuated As Heavy Rains Cause Flooding Concerns In Guantanamo

Earlier in the week, the hurricane had brushed past Jamaica and battered the Cayman Islands, downing trees, power lines, and causing significant flooding. Thousands of residents in Jamaica and Little Cayman remained without power as crews worked to restore electricity.

Rafael, the 17th named storm of the season, was expected to continue weakening as it moved over open waters toward northern Mexico. The National Hurricane Center warned of “above-average uncertainty” regarding the storm’s future path.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted that the 2024 hurricane season would be well above average, forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms, including up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. By comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

The increasing frequency of intense and destructive tropical cyclones is linked to human-caused climate breakdown, as warming oceans provide more energy for stronger storms.

Also Read: 3 Reasons Behind Cuba’s Widespread Power Grid Failure Amid Deepening Crisis

Hurricane Rafael Again Triggers Nationwide Blackout In Cuba Amid Destructive Storm

November 7, 2024, 4:57 am

Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, has caused a widespread blackout across Cuba after making landfall on the island’s south-west coast on Wednesday. The national power company, Union Eléctrica, confirmed that strong winds from the hurricane led to the disconnection of the national electrical grid, prompting the implementation of contingency protocols.

Before the storm made landfall in the western province of Artemisa, the energy and mines ministry had announced plans to conduct a “controlled disconnection” of power circuits to prevent accidents and avoid further damage. This power outage follows a series of disruptions after Hurricane Oscar struck the island three weeks ago, leading to a four-day blackout caused by the failure of Cuba’s largest power plant. The island has since experienced intermittent outages.

Rafael’s impact has been severe, bringing life-threatening storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding. In the capital, Havana, residents reported the storm battering the city with 115km/h winds, rain, and falling debris. Nine provinces, including Havana, have been placed on cyclone alert, and more than 70,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, particularly in Guantánamo, which saw deadly flooding from Hurricane Oscar.

The storm also knocked out power in parts of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands earlier this week. As Rafael moves towards the Gulf of Mexico, heavy rainfall and storm surges are expected to affect Florida and surrounding regions by late this week.

3 Reasons Behind Cuba’s Widespread Power Grid Failure Amid Deepening Crisis

October 21, 2024, 5:53 pm

Cuba’s national electrical grid collapsed for the fourth time in 48 hours on Sunday, plunging the island’s 10 million residents into darkness. The power outages come as Cuba grapples with severe shortages of medicine, food, and fuel, compounding the crisis.

The first grid failure occurred on Friday when the country’s largest power plant shut down, triggering widespread blackouts. Since then, the grid has failed three more times, prompting growing frustration across the nation.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz attributed the crisis to aging infrastructure and fuel shortages, further exacerbated by the recent impact of Hurricane Milton. However, the country’s power grid problems have been years in the making, with a report from NPR highlighting the fragile state of Cuba’s energy system.

Three Key Reasons Behind Cuba’s Power Crisis:

Aging Power Plants: Cuba’s power plants are in disrepair, suffering from years of neglect. Prime Minister Marrero Cruz acknowledged the crumbling infrastructure as a key factor in the ongoing crisis, leaving the grid unable to handle the demands placed on it.
Fuel Supply Disruptions: The island relies heavily on fuel imports to sustain its power grid. However, shipments have drastically decreased, particularly from Venezuela, Cuba’s main supplier. Economic challenges in Venezuela, combined with reduced supplies from Mexico and Russia, have severely limited Cuba’s ability to generate electricity. US sanctions have also complicated efforts to secure affordable fuel.
Slow Investment in Alternative Energy: Although efforts to upgrade the grid with alternative energy sources have been underway, progress has been slow. A project to build 31 solar energy centers isn’t expected to be completed until next year, leaving the country dependent on its struggling thermoelectric plants.

The situation has been worsened by economic hardship, inflation, and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which decimated Cuba’s tourism industry. US sanctions under former President Donald Trump, which reclassified Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” have also restricted the country’s access to crucial resources.

Protests erupted earlier this year in Santiago de Cuba over shortages of electricity and food. In response, the Cuban government has been forced to ration supplies, including limiting bread for children and pregnant women. Some experts say the current conditions are worse than those of the Special Period following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

To manage the crisis, the government announced the cancellation of classes and instructed non-essential workers to stay home. The US Embassy in Havana also announced it will only provide emergency services.

Prime Minister Marrero Cruz, in a delayed televised address on Thursday, said that much of Cuba’s limited production has been paused to prevent complete power outages. “We have been paralyzing economic activity to generate power for the population,” he explained.

WATCH | Hurricane Oscar Slams Bahamas, Set To Batter Cuba Amid Power Crisis

October 21, 2024, 12:37 am

Hurricane Oscar made landfall early Sunday in the southeastern Bahamas, impacting Great Inagua island and heading toward Cuba, which is still grappling with the aftermath of a major power outage. The storm is expected to cause severe weather conditions, including storm surges and significant rainfall.

Guantanamo radar capturing the approach of the diminutive inner core of #hurricane #OSCAR. It appears to be headed towards the general direction of Baracoa. This is likely a case in which you don’t see much wind until you’re in the eyewall. It’ll be a sudden & destructive blast. pic.twitter.com/qz3JwuDGOL

— Jose M Garcia (@HuracanadoWX) October 20, 2024

Storm Surge and Flooding Warnings in the Bahamas

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami confirmed that Oscar’s center arrived on Great Inagua island in the Bahamas. The island, along with other parts of the southeastern Bahamas, is bracing for dangerous storm surges, which could result in coastal flooding. The forecast predicts two to four inches of rainfall, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to six inches.

Heavy Rain Expected Across Eastern Cuba

As Oscar moves westward, eastern Cuba is expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Weather experts predict five to 10 inches of rain across the region, with some areas possibly receiving as much as 15 inches by Tuesday. These conditions could exacerbate an already fragile situation, as Cuba is still reeling from last week’s widespread power outage.

Winds and Storm Path

Hurricane Oscar’s maximum sustained winds are currently 80 mph (130 kph), with higher gusts. The storm’s center is approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) east-northeast of Guantanamo, Cuba. Moving at 12 mph (19 kph), the storm is projected to reach Guantanamo or Holguin, Cuba, by Sunday afternoon, maintaining hurricane strength.

Cuba’s Struggles Amid Power Outage

Oscar’s approach comes at a difficult time for Cuba, which is still recovering from its worst blackout in two years. The power outage, which left millions of Cubans without electricity for two days, was only partially restored on Saturday. With the looming threat of Hurricane Oscar, the nation is facing renewed challenges in maintaining essential services and preventing further infrastructure damage.

Unexpected Strength of Hurricane Oscar

Philippe Papin from the National Hurricane Center expressed surprise at how quickly Oscar intensified into a hurricane. “Unfortunately, the system kind of snuck up a little bit on us,” Papin admitted, noting that Oscar was initially deemed a “tiny” storm.

Tropical Storm Nadine Dissipates

In related weather news, Tropical Storm Nadine formed off Mexico’s southern Caribbean coast earlier but quickly weakened into a tropical depression as it moved over land.

Cuba Faces Renewed Blackouts As Power Grid Fails Amid Hurricane Threat

October 20, 2024, 4:22 pm

Cuba’s government announced on Saturday that it had made some headway in restoring electrical service across the island, including to hospitals and areas of the capital, Havana. This follows reports from state-run media indicating that the national grid had collapsed for the second time within 24 hours. Despite the efforts, a significant portion of Cuba’s 10 million residents remained without power on Saturday afternoon.

Havana was left in darkness, with traffic lights nonfunctional at intersections and most businesses closed. Long lines formed at state-subsidized stores as citizens sought bread and essential goods. Lázaro Guerra, the country’s top electricity official, stated that the grid operator, UNE, was actively working to increase the system’s capacity to restart several power plants and restore electricity to more regions.

“I cannot assure you that we will complete linking the system today, but we are estimating that there should be important progress,” Guerra said during a TV broadcast. The Guardian has confirmed that some areas of the island are beginning to regain electrical service.

The grid first collapsed around midday on Friday, following a failure at one of Cuba’s largest power plants, leaving millions without electricity. Earlier that day, the government had already sent nonessential state workers home and canceled school classes due to an existing electricity shortfall, in an effort to conserve fuel.

While there were initial signs of power restoration with sporadic flickering lights on Friday evening, UNE has yet to provide information on the reasons behind the second grid collapse or the timeline for full restoration of service. In recent weeks, blackouts lasting between 10 to 20 hours have become increasingly common, attributed to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and rising demand. Officials have also noted that strong winds from Hurricane Milton last week hampered the delivery of fuel from offshore.

This year, fuel deliveries to Cuba have significantly declined, as key suppliers like Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico have reduced their exports. Venezuela cut its subsidized fuel deliveries in half, forcing Cuba to seek more expensive oil on the open market. Additionally, the Cuban government has cited the US trade embargo and sanctions imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency as contributing factors to its struggles in obtaining fuel and spare parts necessary for maintaining its oil-fired power plants. However, the US has denied any involvement in the grid collapse.

As Cuba grapples with its ongoing energy crisis, Hurricane Oscar is forming north of the Dominican Republic, posing a threat of heavy rains and strong winds to northeastern Cuba in the coming days, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Depression Over Cuba Expected to Strengthen, Bringing Heavy Rain And Coastal Flooding To Florida

August 4, 2024, 6:16 pm

A tropical depression forming over Cuba is becoming better organized and is forecasted to bring heavy rain and coastal flooding to much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to meteorologists on Saturday.

The storm intensified into a tropical depression late Friday and is expected to escalate into a tropical storm by Saturday night, with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph (63 kph) or more. If it attains tropical storm status, it will be named Debby, marking the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

As of Saturday morning, the storm’s center of circulation was near Havana, but its associated winds and thunderstorms were dispersed across a broad area, including southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center in Miami predicts that the depression will gain strength as it moves northward off the southwest coast of Florida, where sea temperatures have been exceptionally warm, reaching 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) this week.

System Expected to Come Ashore as a Tropical Storm

Forecasts indicate that the system could make landfall as a strong tropical storm late Sunday or early Monday, crossing northern Florida into the Atlantic Ocean, where it is expected to remain a tropical storm affecting Georgia and the Carolinas early next week. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for most of Florida’s west coast and the Dry Tortugas, with a hurricane watch in place for parts of the Big Bend region, acknowledging the possibility that Debby could reach hurricane strength before making landfall.

On Saturday morning, the hurricane watch area was extended westward to Indian Pass in the Florida Panhandle. A warning signifies that storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, whereas a watch indicates that storm effects are possible within 48 hours.

Tropical storms and hurricanes have the potential to cause river flooding and overwhelm drainage systems and regional canals. Forecasters are predicting 5 to 10 inches (125 mm to 250 mm) of rain, which could result in “locally considerable” flash and urban flooding. Moderate flooding is also anticipated for some rivers along Florida’s west coast.

Some of the heaviest rainfall is expected next week along the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville, Florida, northward through Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Florida’s flat terrain is susceptible to flooding even during sunny days when king tides surge in coastal areas. The storm is forecasted to generate storm tides of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) along most of Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Tampa Bay, with higher tides of 3 to 5 feet predicted in the sparsely populated Big Bend region. A storm surge warning issued on Saturday highlights the “danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation” in areas such as Hernando Beach, Crystal River, Steinhatchee, and Cedar Key.

At least two locations in the Florida Keys reported sustained winds of 30 mph (48 kph) on Saturday morning, though a tropical storm watch for the northern Keys was lifted. Despite windy and squally conditions on Long Key, Scott Battle, operator of Florida Boy Bar and Grill, described the situation as “fine.” “It’s spitting off and on and blowing a little, but not too bad,” he said by phone.

Cuba Faces Economic Strain as Fuel Prices Skyrocket by 500% Amidst Ongoing Crisis

January 10, 2024, 2:29 pm

Cuba, already grappling with economic hardships, is bracing for further challenges as the government announces a staggering 500% increase in fuel prices, effective February 1. This move is part of a series of measures aimed at alleviating the country’s budget deficit.

The cost of a liter of regular gasoline is set to surge from 25 pesos (20 US cents) to 132 pesos, while premium gasoline will witness an increase from 30 to 156 pesos.

For many Cubans, already contending with inflation and product shortages, this drastic surge in fuel prices adds another layer of uncertainty to their daily lives. The nation of 11 million people is undergoing its most severe economic crisis since the 1990s, exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating US sanctions, and inherent weaknesses in the economy.

Official estimates indicate a 2% contraction in the Cuban economy in 2023, accompanied by a 30% inflation rate, though independent experts believe the actual figures may be higher.

Fuel scarcity and essential goods have been persistent challenges, prompting the government to consider the inevitable increase in fuel prices. Economy Minister Alejandro Gil emphasized that maintaining the current fuel prices, recognized as the cheapest globally, is unsustainable.

In addition to the fuel price surge, the government confirmed a 25% rise in electricity prices for major residential consumers and an uptick in natural gas prices. Concerns are rising among Cubans regarding the potential impact on general inflation, as many aspects of daily life, including food prices, are closely tied to transportation.

Javier Vega, a 33-year-old ride-hailing driver, expressed concerns about the potential impact on trip prices, considering the existing limitations in public transport due to fuel shortages and a scarcity of car parts.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy justified the price hike as a measure to curb shortages, emphasizing the need for a stable fuel supply. Tourists will now be required to pay for fuel in foreign currency, adding pressure to an already limited supply, and the Central Bank is considering adjustments to the exchange rate against the dollar.

Despite fuel prices being relatively low compared to global standards, the economic reality in Cuba, where the average monthly salary is around $40, poses significant challenges. As citizens grapple with reduced purchasing power, the announcement of the fuel price hike raises concerns about its widespread impact across various sectors of the economy.