Cuba’s Prime Minister Announces Energy Emergency

HAVANA TIMES: The anticipated special televised address by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to inform about the “emergency energy situation” was delayed by almost an hour and a half. At 8:30 pm, the scheduled time, it was explained that there were “technical problems” preventing the video conference connection between Havana—where Alfredo Lopez, director of the Cuban State Electric Co. (UNE), and Edrey Rocha, director of Cuba-Petroleum (Cupet), were located, and Santiago de Cuba, where the prime minister was on an official visit.

Finally, shortly after 9:45 pm, the transmission began with choppy images and sound. In his intervention, lasting less than an hour, Marrero did not reveal major updates. “We have had to shut down the economy to guarantee a minimum of electric service,” he admitted.

Click here for the full report.