A resident from J Street in the La Cuchilla neighborhood of Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, reached out to report a 15-day power outage. Despite initial repairs by the Union Eléctrica (UNE) employees, the transformer exploded again, leaving the area in darkness. Calls to Santiago de Cuba bring the same response: the issue has supposedly been fixed. Beatriz Johnson, the first secretary of the PCC, had promised a visit on Saturday, but she has yet to make an appearance.
In an audio message sent to CiberCuba, a local resident describes the dire situation faced by families after more than two weeks without electricity and demands an official response. "There are small children here, and the situation is desperate," she stated.
Beatriz Johnson has visited Palma Soriano in the past, such as in July 2024 when she participated in agricultural activities in the El Sitio area. However, in the current blackout in La Cuchilla, the community was expecting her on Saturday, and by Monday, there was still no sign of the political leader.
Broader Energy Crisis in Cuba
This complaint from La Cuchilla arises amidst a critical juncture for the National Electroenergetic System. On September 24, it was reported that Cuba woke up with only 837 MW available to meet a demand of 2,524 MW, with a projected shortfall of 2,133 MW during peak hours.
The electrical issues coincide with the degradation of other essential services in Palma Soriano. Recently, reports have surfaced about residents of Los Cocos Street, who have been without regular water supply for over six months and rely on water trucks for sustenance.
Ongoing Challenges in La Cuchilla
Residents of La Cuchilla continue to voice their grievances over the unresolved issue: an outage caused by a transformer explosion, 15 days without power, and the anticipated visit of Santiago de Cuba's top political figure, which, according to testimonies received by CiberCuba, has yet to occur.
Understanding the Power Outage in La Cuchilla
What caused the power outage in La Cuchilla?
The power outage was triggered by a transformer explosion, which occurred after initial repair attempts by the Union Eléctrica (UNE).
Has Beatriz Johnson visited La Cuchilla as promised?
Despite her promise to visit on a specific Saturday, Beatriz Johnson has not yet made an appearance in La Cuchilla.
How are the residents coping with the blackout?
The residents are struggling, especially families with small children, and are desperately seeking a resolution from the authorities.