A powerful earthquake rocks eastern Cuba, compounding devastation from Hurricane Rafael and ongoing power crisis.
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, rattling an island nation already reeling from recent hurricanes and widespread power outages that have pushed many residents to their breaking point.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Bartolome Maso, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremors reverberated across Cuba’s eastern region, affecting major population centers, including Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city, Holguin, and Guantanamo. Local media reported that the seismic activity was strong enough to be felt in neighboring Jamaica.
While no major injuries or significant structural damage were immediately reported, the earthquake sent anxious residents fleeing into the streets.
In the small town of Pilon, residents shared social media images showing minor structural damage, including cracked walls and crumbling roofs—issues that are particularly concerning given Cuba’s aging infrastructure, much of which requires substantial repairs.
The earthquake comes at a particularly challenging time for Cuba.
