Nationwide Blackout Hits Cuba
Millions of people across Cuba lost electricity after the country’s national power grid collapsed on Monday, deepening an already severe energy crisis.
The state power operator, UNE, said teams have started restoring electricity in several provinces and cities. However, full recovery may take time.
Fuel Shortages Behind the Crisis
Cuba depends heavily on imported fuel to run its power plants. Recent supply disruptions have made the situation worse.
For years, Venezuela supplied around 35,000 barrels of oil per day, covering nearly half of Cuba’s needs. These shipments have stopped in recent months, increasing pressure on the island’s fragile energy system.
Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that no oil shipments have reached Cuba in the past three months.
US Pressure Adds to Energy Strain
The crisis has intensified due to rising tensions with the United States. The administration of Donald Trump has taken steps to block oil shipments heading to Cuba and warned of tariffs on countries that supply fuel to the island.
Speaking at the White House, Trump made strong remarks about Cuba’s current condition, describing it as weakened.
Ongoing Power Cuts Spark Public Frustration
Cuba, home to about 10 million people, has struggled with frequent blackouts in recent years. The outages have become a major source of frustration and have led to protests.
In the city of Morón, demonstrators recently stormed a Communist Party building after protesting against rising food prices and ongoing power cuts.
Residents say the situation has become part of daily life. One person in Havana said the latest blackout did not come as a surprise.
Government Seeks Solutions
The Cuban government has started early discussions with US officials to address ongoing tensions. Leaders hope to find a path that could ease economic pressure and stabilize energy supplies.
Despite these efforts, the country continues to face major challenges in maintaining a reliable power grid.
