Power Woes: A Decade of Darkness in Puerto Rico

A grid failure left nearly all of Puerto Rico without power on New Year's Eve, affecting 87% of clients. LUMA Energy cited a failed underground line as the preliminary cause, with full restoration expected in 24 to 48 hours. Long-term outages have plagued Puerto Rico for years.

On New Year's Eve, Puerto Rico was plunged into darkness as a widespread grid failure left almost the entire island without power. According to LUMA Energy, the outage affected 87% of clients by Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement, LUMA announced efforts to restore power within 24 to 48 hours, adding that critical facilities like hospitals in San Juan had already received power. The company pointed to a failed underground line as the likely cause, although investigations are ongoing.

The crisis highlights Puerto Rico's ongoing struggle with power outages, which have been an issue for over a decade. On social media, officials and residents like Governor Pedro Pierluisi and attorney Ramon Luis Nieves expressed frustration, calling for improvements and accountability.

(With inputs from agencies.)