Nationwide Power Outage Experienced During Cuba’s Energy Crisis—CNC Statement

Statement by the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) Executive Committee, Samantha Hislop & Isaac Saney, released October 19, 2024.

The CNC expresses its full solidarity with the people of Cuba as they confront the challenges posed by the recent island-wide electrical blackout. This outage, as well as the shortages that Cuba experiences of other essential services and supplies, are a direct and intentional result of the U.S. blockade against Cuba, as is explicitly stated in the United States’ Mallory Memorandum when it began its brutal economic warfare against Cuba over 60 years ago.

We extend our deepest respect and admiration to Cuba’s engineers and energy workers, whose tireless efforts to restore power have once again demonstrated extraordinary dedication and commitment to ensuring the well-being of their fellow citizens. Their heroic work, in the face of immense difficulties, stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of Cuba’s human and technical resources.

We also take this moment to hail the remarkable resilience of the Cuban people, who continue to face adversity with unity, determination, and dignity. Despite the hardships of an ongoing energy crisis, compounded by economic difficulties, the Cuban people remain an inspiring example of solidarity and resolve. Their ability to endure and persevere in such challenging times serves as a powerful reminder of their collective spirit and commitment to safeguarding their nation’s sovereignty and independence.

At the same time, we condemn in the strongest terms the U.S. economic war against Cuba, which remains the principal obstacle to resolving the island’s energy crisis and advancing its economic development. The current U.S. administration is continuing a policy of collective punishment and slow extermination of the Cuban nation through its illegal blockade, and the designation of Cuba as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism”. Recent additional 243 sanctions added by Presidents Trump and Biden have exacerbated Cuba’s energy difficulties and impediments to upgrading its infrastructure, limiting access to vital resources, technology, and financial aid that could alleviate these issues.

We call on the international community to continue denouncing this unjust policy, and we reaffirm our unwavering support for the Cuban people and government in their struggle for justice, self-determination, and a brighter future.