Massive Blackout Hits Puerto Rico, Leaving Nearly 1.3 Million in the Dark

Early Tuesday morning, Puerto Rico experienced a widespread blackout, leaving over 1.3 million residents without power just as the island prepared to welcome the New Year. Officials estimate that full restoration could take up to 48 hours. An Island Grinds to a Halt The outage began before sunrise, silencing homes and businesses alike as air conditioners, appliances, and other electrical systems came to a stop. Generators buzzed to life in households equipped to handle such interruptions, while others struggled to adapt. Luma Energy, the private company responsible for Puerto Rico’s power transmission and distribution, reported that nearly 90% of the island’s 1.47 million customers were impacted. According to Luma, the blackout appears to have been triggered by a failure in an underground power line. The company emphasized that restoration efforts are ongoing and that the issue is being investigated. The incident has reignited criticism of Luma Energy and Genera PR, which oversees...