Reuters Published: Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Cubans faced power blackouts, longer waits for buses, uncomfortable
working conditions and skimpier lunches yesterday as the government
introduced austerity measures to cope with a growing economic squeeze.
All provincial governments and most state-run offices and factories,
which encompass 90% of Cuba's economic activity, were ordered to cut
energy use by at least 12%. This includes keeping air conditioners
turned off until 1:30 p. m. and shutting off freezers for at least two
hours a day. Long lines formed at bus stops in Havana as bus runs were
cut. The austerity measures reminded Cubans of the hardships following
the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of its US$5-billion
in annual subsidies.
Cubans left in the dark by energy quota (2 June 2009)
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