Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Strikes Communist Cuba Amid Recent String of Disasters

Communist Cuba faced a new natural disaster on Sunday when a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake shook the island’s eastern region. The epicenter was located approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Bartolomé Masó, according to the United States Geological Survey. Residents of Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city, and the surrounding eastern areas felt the earthquake’s impact. Despite its intensity, there were no immediate reports of major injuries.

Dual Earthquakes Add to Island’s Strain

Earlier in the day, a significant 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the same region. About an hour after this initial tremor, the 6.8 magnitude quake followed, further shaking the area. The U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, located roughly 250 miles from the epicenter, reported feeling both tremors, though no injuries occurred among personnel. Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and as far as Florida’s east coast, underscoring the event’s strength.

Natural Disasters Compound Cuban Hardship

Communist Cuba has endured a relentless series of natural disasters in recent weeks. Last Wednesday, Hurricane Raphael swept through the island, causing widespread destruction and damaging hundreds of homes. Previously, a nationwide power outage left the country without electricity for days due to repeated failures in the national electrical grid. Only weeks earlier, Hurricane Oscar struck the Havana area, tragically resulting in at least seven fatalities.

Impact and Recovery Efforts

While there have been no confirmed reports of severe injuries from Sunday’s earthquakes, images shared on social media reveal structural damage in Santiago de Cuba. Residents remain shaken, especially given the recent hurricanes and power outages that have left many struggling to recover. Local media reported that the earthquakes were felt across much of eastern Communist Cuba, including Holguin, Guantanamo, and surrounding regions.

The island nation’s resilience will be tested once more as recovery efforts continue, underscoring the importance of international support and local initiatives in helping Communist Cuba through these challenging times.