Cuba schools to reopen despite major blackout

Cuba's new school year will begin on September 1 as planned, Education Minister Naima Trujillo said Thursday, even as a major blackout hit four of the island's five eastern provinces.

Trujillo said restarting classes would be a “challenge” amid rolling blackouts and chronic shortages of food and fuel. She said schools would tolerate students arriving late or not wearing uniforms because of the crisis.

Shortly after she spoke, Union Electrica de Cuba said power had been knocked out in four eastern provinces. The utility said a transmission failure had cut electricity supplies from three power plants.

Cuba is facing electricity rationing and shortages of fuel, drinking water and subsidized food. In recent weeks, power cuts have lasted up to 30 hours in Havana and for days in rural areas.

The Trump administration has tightened sanctions on Cuba, and Washington began blocking oil shipments to the island in January.