A deepening energy crisis in Cuba is creating significant challenges for international medical students, including 28 Belizean nationals pursuing medical degrees on the island nation. The Caribbean country’s severe electricity shortages have resulted in prolonged and unpredictable blackouts that are disrupting both daily life and academic activities.
The crisis stems from Cuba’s production of merely half its required electricity following the interruption of its primary oil supply. This energy deficit has created cascading effects on essential services including water distribution, food preservation, medical storage, transportation networks, and telecommunications infrastructure.
For Belizean medical students, the situation has created particular academic and personal difficulties. Internet and phone service disruptions have hampered both remote learning capabilities and vital communication channels with families back home. Despite these challenges, Belizean officials report that academic programs continue without unusual interruption.
Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Education Francis Fonseca confirmed that approximately 20 of the affected students are in their final year of medical training. The government maintains regular contact with students through Belize’s embassy in Cuba and remains optimistic about their ability to complete their studies.
Family members in Belize have expressed growing concern as communication becomes increasingly sporadic. One father shared his son’s account of deteriorating conditions, noting more frequent and extended power and water interruptions. His son, who has completed four and a half years of a seven-year medical program, has expressed apprehension about both Cuba’s future and the continuity of his education.
While concerned parents acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, they express confidence in their government’s ability to ensure student safety and arrange repatriation if necessary. The Belizean government continues to monitor the situation closely while evaluating potential contingency measures.