Ranchuelo Blackout: State Truck Accident Plunges Villa Clara into Darkness
A traffic accident involving a state-owned truck caused a meaningful power outage in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, Cuba, leaving over 10,000 residents without electricity. The incident occurred at the Gran Panel substation, where the truck collided wiht an electrical pole, resulting in an explosion and fire.
The blackout impacted multiple electrical circuits, specifically including: Circuit 166 (County), Circuit 167 (Virginia), Circuit 168 (County-XX Anniversary), Circuit 170 (Rotunda-12 Floors), and Circuit 171 (Los Caneyes). Additionally, circuits 188, 189, and 97 were also affected.
Following the incident, the Cuban government deployed personnel from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), Communist Party officials, and local authorities to the site.
The driver of the truck and a minor passenger sustained injuries in the accident and were transported to the “Juan B. Contreras” polyclinic for medical treatment. No fatalities or severe injuries were reported.
While some circuits reportedly began to be restored after several hours, the extent of remaining outages remains unspecified. Details regarding the condition of the truck and the precise cause of the accident are currently unconfirmed, despite the vehicle being state-owned and operating in an urban area.
This event highlights the pre-existing vulnerabilities within Cuba’s electrical infrastructure. The report emphasizes the system’s fragility, a result of insufficient maintenance and investment, leaving the population susceptible to widespread service disruptions even from relatively localized incidents. The incident underscores a lack of openness in reporting and a broader inability to effectively prevent or respond to such crises.
