Cubans stage rare street protest over power blackouts

[ha_banos]

Cubans stage rare street protest over power blackouts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-68595885

Have been seeing stories appear on social media of protests in various towns/cities in Cuba over the last couple of days.

[Simon Bolivar]

Thanks for posting Banos, We need to remember just how tough life is for ordinary Cubans & how much harder it's become since Covid. If only those involved in cigar production, from farmers to rollers got a fair proportion of the current asking price, I am sure their lives would be considerably easier & there would be less objections about the middle men raking it in. But then we don't treat our own farmers much better, in supermarkets you can find mineral water, more expensive than milk.

[ha_banos]

Things have continued to deteriorate. I've not heard anything good recently about the infrastructure in Cuba. Food, water and fuel are worsening problems

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8elzx8dg7zo

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-implements-emergency-measures-millions-go-without-electricity-2024-10-18/

https://www.cubaheadlines.com/articles/290187

[PeeJay]

It would make me feel guilty about going there knowing precious resources are being diverted to tourists.

[Simon Bolivar]

It would make me feel guilty about going there knowing precious resources are being diverted to tourists.

I think that's a valid point PJ, we were thinking of going next Feb but doesn't seem a good idea at present. On the hand hand they need tourist dollars but when they are struggling to feed children & get a piece of chicken, expecting steak & lobster in a hotel sounds a little obscene, as well as not much fun, if the lights & freidges/freezers keep going off.

Don't suppose if The Donald gets in again, he'll be any more compassionate about lifting sanctions, than last time. When he reversed Obaham's relaxation.

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[BullittBoy]

A very sad state of affairs.. makes you feel awful for the hard working people who try to keep things going.

[ha_banos]

Apparently they started to bring the grid back online only for it to fail again...

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cubas-electrical-grid-collapses-second-time-entire-country-again-without-power-2024-10-19/

[OtELos]

I also heard that situation is really bad there from Magali when she return from Cuba. I plan to go next month to Cuba so will let you know my observation of the life in Havana. It might not be so bad there yet. But in rural Cuba and other cities is so bad. The end product we all cherish is not a good product is not having 100% focus on quality from torcedor. You will not roll a good soul if head isn’t clear.

[ha_banos]

I also heard that situation is really bad there from Magali when she return from Cuba. I plan to go next month to Cuba so will let you know my observation of the life in Havana. It might not be so bad there yet. But in rural Cuba and other cities is so bad. The end product we all cherish is not a good product is not having 100% focus on quality from torcedor. You will not roll a good soul if head isn’t clear.

Personally I wouldn't go. Better monitor the situation.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cuba

[ha_banos]

I thought this was a poignant picture. Looking into the Havana lights from a blacked out street.

RDT_20241020_0724275465220595173086995.png

[mcdee]

I see the BBC is reporting Cuba was hit by a hurricane last night too during the black out.

[ha_banos]

Been seeing reports today power is coming back online. Don't know how widespread... Nor for how long... Fridge food will be spoilt now. Apparently main resorts have been mostly unaffected apart from no a/c.....

[Simon Bolivar]

I thought this was a poignant picture. Looking into the Havana lights from a blacked out street.

RDT_20241020_0724275465220595173086995.png

Sad indeed, keeping the city centre light on, for appearances & the locals have total blackout.

[OtELos]

So regarding the trip to Cuba everything was reasonably smooth, no major blackouts but some sections of streets were really dark and I had to use torch to navigate through the potholes and cracked concrete.
Without a torch high possibility of leg injury as their paths are in such desolation.
Paso el Prado beyond belief, what state of it, but top spot for social with locals.
I have attended amigos the Partagas and enjoyed every bit of it. Never mind lack of sleep as parties/meet ups until morning.
I was hoping that there will be a good chance to buy some good cigars; I was wrong very much. Managed to get few boxes at the weekend of ending the event but nothing special. Prices of those boxes were good, cigars at the Havana airport more expensive.
I have brought enough but wasn’t happy with availability of them. I have witnessed China lads leaving with suitcases full of Cohibas and bill for 96K.
Now thinking to go in February but it might be a dream only.

[Hookmaker]

Was it overly crowded with Chinese?


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