Cuba's economy on its knees after two consecutive hurricanes

According to the Cuban Meteorological Institute (INSMET) Rafael, a major category 3 cyclone, hit Cuba with winds of 185 km/h. In places, 200mm of rain was measured.

The hurricane devastated the province of Artemisa. There are no casualties to report but the damage to infrastructure and agricultural fields is “catastrophic”.

9000 hectares of bananas, 300 hectares from cassava and more than 700 hectares of beans were destroyed. Nearly fifty schools were damaged, a hospital had to be evacuated,he electricity distribution network collapsed and help was still unable to reach communities far from Artemisa.

The President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, during a visit to Artemisa, admitted that “entire communities have been destroyed.”

In Havana, more than 460 buildings collapsed during the phenomenon. Nearly 100,000 residents had to be evacuated, but no casualties were reported by the authorities.

Power was still out in several towns at the end of the day Friday, November 8. Because of these cuts, several families had to throw away rotten food.

The Cuban authorities have requested help from international organizations to deal with the economic and social crisis, which worsened after the passage of two hurricanes in the space of a few weeks. And after the loss of thousands of hectares of agricultural production, a food crisis is looming.

Cuban airports have since resumed operations, but the situation remains difficult. President Miguel Díaz-Canel does not the accusations of his opponents according to which “The Cuban economy is collapsing.