Fidel Castro once called Cuba’s power plants “prehistoric.” But the country still relies on them, contributing to the longest blackout since the collapse of its former patron, the Soviet Union.

Cuba was plunged into darkness for a second time on Saturday after its electrical grid collapsed again hours after authorities announced they had begun re-establishing service.

After electricity was partially restored in Cuba following an island-wide blackout, the electrical grid collapsed a second time, causing widespread alarm. Journalist Ed Augustin told NBC News that while power is gradually being restored in some areas,

Cuba's government blames weeks of worsening blackouts on deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages and rising demand.