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Cuban Power Grid Faces Collapse as Hurricane Oscar Approaches

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Cuba is grappling with widespread power outages as Hurricane Oscar hits the eastern region, compounding the challenges faced by millions of residents who have already endured days without electricity. The latest blackout marks the fourth collapse of the nation’s electric grid since Friday, disrupting daily life and prompting protests.

Oscar made landfall near Baracoa on Sunday afternoon as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing sustained winds of 80 mph. By nighttime, it weakened to a tropical storm, moving west-southwest at 6 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of significant rainfall, predicting 6 to 12 inches across eastern Cuba and isolated amounts reaching 18 inches.

In Havana, where more than 216,000 residents had power restored earlier in the day, darkness fell again, leaving many outdoors in the sweltering heat. Children are opting to sleep outside, while schools have been closed until Thursday due to the conditions. With the heat becoming unbearable indoors, people gathered in the streets, some playing dominoes to pass the time.

Protests erupted as frustrations mounted over the prolonged blackout, with demonstrators banging pots and pans. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the protests as acts of vandalism, asserting the government would not tolerate disruptions to public order. The energy crisis began last Friday when a major power plant failed, plunging the 10 million-strong nation into darkness and causing hardships in accessing food and water.

As residents queued for bread in the capital, many expressed anger over the ongoing power issues and questioned the absence of support from traditional allies like Venezuela and Russia, who have historically provided oil to sustain the island’s energy needs.

Despite the challenges, tourists continued to navigate Havana’s streets, although many hotels struggled due to fuel shortages for their generators. José Martí International Airport was reported to be operating on emergency power, with significant disruptions to services.

In response to the crisis, the Cuban government has canceled classes for students and advised non-essential workers to remain at home. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that economic activities had been curtailed to prioritize power generation for the populace.

Health Minister José Angel Portal Miranda reassured that medical facilities were functioning on generators, with health workers continuing to deliver essential services despite the overwhelming challenges posed by the dual crises of Hurricane Oscar and the energy crisis.

Democrats Rally in Chicago to Support Harris, Biden, and Face Protests Over Israel Policy

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Democrats convened in Chicago on Monday to officially launch Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign for the presidency while honoring President Joe Biden, who recently stepped aside under pressure from party leaders concerned about his age and ability to govern for another term. The four-day Democratic National Convention is set to draw not only party supporters but also tens of thousands of protesters, many opposing the Biden administration’s stance on Israel’s Gaza offensive. These demonstrators, organized by a coalition of around 200 social justice groups, are expected to march through the city outside the convention’s security perimeter.

Biden, who at 81 reluctantly ended his re-election bid following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump in June, will deliver a prime-time speech on Monday night to advocate for Harris’s election and emphasize the need to defeat former President Trump. Harris, 59, is anticipated to join Biden on stage, where he will symbolically pass the torch to her as the party seeks to present a united front after this unprecedented change in their presidential ticket.

Harris, who has already made history with her campaign’s record-breaking fundraising and strong polling in key battleground states, will formally accept the Democratic nomination on Thursday night. Should she win on November 5, she would become the first female president of the United States. Meanwhile, her campaign is navigating challenges, including calls from pro-Palestinian delegates to amend the party platform to restrict arms sales to Israel.

As Democrats rally behind Harris, Trump’s campaign is simultaneously targeting key battleground states to divert attention from the convention and highlight areas where Republicans maintain a polling advantage. Trump, now 78, is scheduled for a series of campaign events, focusing on economic policy and steering clear of racially charged rhetoric, particularly in locations like Howell, Michigan, a town with a history of racial tensions.

In addition to Harris and Biden, the convention will feature tributes to notable Democrats, including former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, who are slated to speak later in the week. The event underscores the Democratic Party’s efforts to navigate internal and external challenges as they gear up for a high-stakes election battle against Trump in 2024.

Venezuelan Opposition Protests Intensify Amid Disputed Election Results

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In Venezuela, the political opposition and its supporters have taken to the streets across the country, demanding recognition of their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez’s alleged victory in the presidential election held nearly three weeks ago. Despite the electoral authority’s declaration that President Nicolas Maduro secured a third term with just under 52% of the vote, the opposition, led by former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, claims to have evidence showing Gonzalez won with 67% of the votes, based on tallies from 83% of voting machines.

The disputed election has plunged the economically struggling nation into a deep political crisis, exacerbated by a government crackdown on protests that has resulted in at least 2,400 arrests and 23 deaths. The international community has proposed various solutions, including a new election, but both the ruling party and the opposition have largely rejected these suggestions.

In Caracas, thousands of opposition supporters gathered in the eastern part of the city, where Machado called for international verification of the election results and urged her followers to continue their protests. Similar demonstrations took place in cities across Venezuela, including Maracaibo, Valencia, San Cristobal, and Barquisimeto, with many protesters carrying Venezuelan flags and copies of voting tallies as symbols of their demand for electoral transparency.

The protests have also resonated with the Venezuelan diaspora, with gatherings reported in cities like Mexico City, where nearly 1,000 people rallied in support of a free Venezuela. Many of these expatriates, driven out by the country’s severe economic and political turmoil, expressed hope for an end to Maduro’s rule and the possibility of returning to their homeland.

Maduro, in response, addressed his supporters at Miraflores Palace, dismissing international criticism and asserting Venezuela’s sovereignty. He promised economic growth despite the country’s severe downturn, which has seen a loss of over 73% of its GDP since 2013. While some countries like Russia and China have congratulated Maduro on his victory, others, including many Western nations, have called for the full publication of election results.

As the opposition continues to press for recognition of its candidate’s victory, their options appear to be narrowing, with international focus gradually shifting away from the crisis. However, Latin American leaders are expected to discuss the situation during a gathering in the Dominican Republic, where the crisis in Venezuela will likely be a key topic of conversation.