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Power outages left millions of people in Cuba in the dark as power grids failed: Photos

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Power outages left millions of people in Cuba in the dark as power grids failed: Photos

Cuba was plunged into darkness for several days due to a series of power failures.

Since one of the Caribbean island’s largest power plants failed on Friday, the power grid has failed three more times, most recently on Sunday when a tropical storm threatened to hamper efforts to restore power. The resulting widespread power outage sparked several small protests, halted trade and forced officials to cancel schooling and all non-essential government services until at least Wednesday.

About 10 million people were left without power when the Antonio Guiteras power plant, the country’s largest and most efficient, went offline for the first time on Friday. In the capital Havana, which remained completely without power on Sunday evening, Reuters reporters saw only scattered businesses, bars and homes running on small fuel generators.

Photos emerging across the country show not only the unrest, but also residents continuing to live their lives even in the dark and uncertainty of when the power will come back on.

Look here:

Photos against the backdrop of the collapse of the Cuban power grid

Representatives of the Evangelical Church listen to musicians as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island.Representatives of the Evangelical Church listen to musicians as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island.

Representatives of the Evangelical Church listen to musicians as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island.

People walk during a blackout Sunday as the country's power grid collapsed again Sunday, according to Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines, the latest setback in government efforts to restore power to the island.People walk during a blackout Sunday as the country's power grid collapsed again Sunday, according to Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines, the latest setback in government efforts to restore power to the island.

People walk during a blackout Sunday as the country’s power grid collapsed again Sunday, according to Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, the latest setback in government efforts to restore power to the island.

Cuban police and military stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts after the street was reopened to traffic in Havana.Cuban police and military stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts after the street was reopened to traffic in Havana.

Cuban police and military stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts after the street was reopened to traffic in Havana.

People wait outside during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana on October 20, 2024.People wait outside during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana on October 20, 2024.

People wait outside during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana on October 20, 2024.

Cubans use pots to cook Sunday to demand electricity during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.Cubans use pots on Sunday to demand electricity during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

Cubans use pots to cook Sunday to demand electricity during the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

People look out from their balconies on Sunday as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island and millions remain in the dark.People look out from their balconies on Sunday as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island and millions remain in the dark.

People look out from their balconies on Sunday as Cuba suffers its third major setback in restoring power to the island and millions remain in the dark.

Cuban police stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts on Saturday.Cuban police stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts on Saturday.

Cuban police stand next to debris that was used to block a street during a protest against power cuts on Saturday.

A man cleans his antique car on Sunday during a power outage in Havana, Cuba.A man cleans his antique car on Sunday during a power outage in Havana, Cuba.

A man cleans his antique car on Sunday during a power outage in Havana, Cuba.

People wait outside on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned on Sunday that he would tread carefully. "severity" against those attempting to disrupt public order, amid a complete blackout that left the island in darkness for three nights.People wait outside on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned on Sunday that he would tread carefully. "severity" against those attempting to disrupt public order, amid a complete blackout that left the island in darkness for three nights.

People wait outside on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned on Sunday that he would act “toughly” against those trying to disrupt public order, amid a blackout that left the island in darkness for three nights.

Children play in the street on the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.Children play in the street on the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

Children play in the street on the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

A man sits in his car on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.A man sits in his car on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

A man sits in his car on Sunday, the third night of a nationwide blackout in Havana.

Cars drive along Havana's coastal Malecon boulevard as the country's power grid failed again on Sunday.Cars drive along Havana's coastal Malecon boulevard as the country's power grid failed again on Sunday.

Cars drive along Havana’s coastal Malecon boulevard as the country’s power grid failed again on Sunday.

Cars drive past the Hotel Nacional and on Havana's Malecon waterfront during a power outage as the country's power grid failed again on Sunday.Cars drive past the Hotel Nacional and on Havana's Malecon waterfront during a power outage as the country's power grid failed again on Sunday.

Cars drive past the Hotel Nacional and on Havana’s Malecon waterfront during a power outage as the country’s power grid failed again on Sunday.

Contribution: Reuters

Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cuba suffers blackouts due to grid failure: see photos.