Many Cubans were left in distress on Sunday, October 20, as electricity is yet to be fully restored across much of the island following days of blackout, news agency AP reported. While some neighbourhoods in Havana, home to 2 million people, have had their power restored, large areas of the capital remain in darkness. The blackout has far-reaching effects, as services like water supply also rely on electricity to operate pumps.

Residents in Cuba have resorted to cooking on makeshift wood stoves in the streets, desperate to prevent their food from spoiling in refrigerators, reported AP.