**Strong Earthquake Strikes Cuba's Coast Twice in One Day**

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck just off Cuba's southern coast near Santiago de Cuba shortly after noon on Sunday, causing residents to flee their homes in panic. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter about 24 miles south of Bartolomé Masó in Granma Province.

This significant seismic event was preceded by a 5.9 magnitude quake that shook the same area at approximately 10:50 a.m. local time. The twin tremors left the local population anxious and wary. Yolanda Tabio, 76, shared with The Associated Press that many residents in Santiago took to the streets or sat tensely in their doorways, nervously anticipating further aftershocks. While Tabio felt at least two additional aftershocks post the second quake, she reported no known damages among her friends and family.

The Sunday earthquakes follow closely on the heels of natural disasters that have recently battered Cuba. Just a few days earlier, Western Cuba was devastated by Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, which left the entire island without power. This came only weeks after Hurricane Oscar ravaged the island in October, resulting in six fatalities. Both hurricanes exacerbated the country's ongoing energy crisis, leading to prolonged periods of blackouts.

As Cuba continues to recover from these successive calamities, the recent quakes have added to the stress and challenges faced by its people.