The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Liván Arronte Cruz, and the director of the Cuban Electrical Union (UNE), Jorge Armando Cepero Hernández, were dismissed from their respective positions on Monday. Without mentioning the names of the dismissed, in a short note, Cubadebate informed that Vicente de la O Levy will be the new minister, and Alfredo López Valdés, the new director of the UNE.
“Both were general directors of the Electric Union at other times. Likewise, Alfredo López Valdés previously held the position of Minister of Energy and Mines, and of Industries,” the text specifies.
These layoffs make Cubans fear that the promised solution to the lack of electricity will not occur in December.
The deposed Arronte, who had been in his position since 2019, had become in recent months a media figurein the midst of the unprecedented energy crisis that the country is suffering, being the main authority figure who came out to give explanations about the scheduled daily blackouts suffered by the population, for example in programs such as Round table.
It should be noted that this ministry is under the orders of Deputy Prime Minister Ramiro Valdés.
The UNE had predicted, again, a huge energy deficit, which would cause a “simultaneous blackout” of 41% of the service on Monday
The UNE had predicted, again, a huge energy deficit, which would cause a “simultaneous blackout” of 41% of the service on Monday. According to its daily statement, the electricity generation capacity during peak hours will be 1,941 megawatts (MW) for a maximum demand of 3,200 MW, with which the deficit would be 1,259 MW, 65% of the maximum generation capacity. The “affectation” –what will be disconnected–, however, estimates the state company, will be more: 1,329 MW.
The thermoelectric units without operation amount to 11. Last Friday, less than 24 hours after it was connected, the Antonio Guiteras, in Matanzas.
With the blackouts, numerous protests have come. Inventory Project has registered 176 from july 14. The prosecution has already threatened to prosecute protesters for “acts of vandalism”, just as they did after the massive protests on July 11, 2021.
On October 7, the organization Justicia 11J published a update on detainees, based on the statements of their relatives and other information. According to the NGO, they will be prosecuted for the crimes of public disorder, contempt and resistance, although it cannot provide the exact number of people incarcerated, which is around thirty according to various organizations.
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