Amidst Widespread Blackout, Asturias Official Meets with Emigrants in Havana

In the midst of a sweeping blackout affecting all of Cuba since the night of Friday, March 14, Olaya Romano, the Director General of Emigration for the Principality of Asturias, engaged in a series of meetings with emigrants and descendants of Asturians in Havana. Despite the challenges posed by the lack of electricity, Romano met with the leadership of the Federation of Asturian Associations in Cuba (FAAC), reaffirming the Asturian government's commitment to its community on the island.

According to information shared by the FAAC, the Asturian delegation, which also includes social workers from the Government of the Principality of Asturias, engaged with emigrants and descendants of Asturians to explain "the return policies, providing guidance to facilitate their execution." The blackout, which began around 8:15 p.m. on Friday due to a malfunction in a substation in Havana, left much of the country, including Havana, without electricity. This incident marks the fourth of its kind in the past six months, highlighting the severe energy crisis plaguing the Caribbean nation.

The ties between Asturias and Cuba date back several centuries, with a significant wave of migration in the latter half of the 19th century when approximately 80,000 Asturians relocated to the island. In recent years, the Asturian government has launched various initiatives to support their emigrants and their descendants in Cuba. In 2024, a call for economic aid was introduced, aimed at Asturians and their descendants residing in Latin American countries, including Cuba. These subsidies are intended for individuals over 65 years old who are in need or lack sufficient income. Furthermore, adults aged 18 to 64 who have been victims of gender-based violence, suffer from permanent disability, or have severe illnesses can also apply for this aid.

The "Study in Asturias" scholarship program has also been implemented, offering up to 15,000 euros to partially cover master’s degree expenses at the University of Oviedo. This program targets descendants of Asturian emigrants up to the second degree of consanguinity, residing in Latin American countries, such as Cuba.

During her visit, Romano introduced the plans for return from the Asturian government in Cuba, which aim to facilitate the return of emigrants and their families to the Principality, offering financial support and comprehensive guidance for their reintegration. This was done in a context where the energy situation in Cuba remains critical, with efforts underway to restore electrical service in the affected areas. Meanwhile, the Asturian community on the island appreciates the presence and support of the Principality's authorities during these challenging times.