Fuel shortages have forced Cuba to cancel Workers' May Day parade, a longstanding tradition; normally hundreds of thousands of people would be bussed in from all over the island nation and flood into Revolution Square

Non-governmental organisations Justicia 11J and Cubalex on X denounced the arrests of citizens in the context of demonstrations protesting against electricity blackouts, describing them as 'arbitrary' and the result of 'persecution'

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6,8 shook eastern Cuba yesterday, after weeks of hurricanes and blackouts that have left many on the island reeling; no major damage or injuries were reported, though the tremor was felt as far as Jamaica

The country is awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Rafael, which is expected to exacerbate the difficulties caused by the recent blackout and Hurricane Oscar

Cuba has been without electricity since last Friday afternoon, due to two general blackouts that have caused interruptions and problems; despite blackouts lasting several hours are frequent, such a widespread interruption has not happened for a long time