Breaking News: A nationwide power outage has plunged Cuba into darkness, exacerbating an existing energy crisis.
Cuba is suffering a major, island-wide power outage, affecting approximately 10 million people, as its energy crisis deepens. The blackout began on Monday, with limited services restored in some areas after approximately two hours, according to state-run Electric Union statements reported by Fox News. This is the third significant blackout to hit Cuba this year.
The outages stem from chronic fuel shortages and a deteriorating electrical grid. The crisis has worsened due to successive US sanctions, including those imposed by former President Donald Trump in January, which threatened tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba. These measures targeted foreign banks and companies linked to the island’s military-linked economy, according to Fox News. Public transport halted and tens of thousands of surgeries were cancelled during Monday’s disruption, the Associated Press reported. Earlier blackouts affected western provinces in March, with a separate incident plunging the entire island into darkness mid-month.
Cuban officials have blamed US policy for the energy struggles, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel characterising the situation as a “genocidal” energy blockade. He accused the US of attempting to instigate social unrest through the restriction of fuel access to Cuba. The energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, also claimed that the US was exacerbating the situation, while acknowledging the work of electricity workers to restore power, Fox News reports. Fuel supplies, including a Russian shipment of 730,000 barrels in March, have been increasingly depleted.
The situation is likely to worsen, with Cuba producing only 40% of its required fuel. The government has implemented scheduled power outages lasting over 24 hours in some regions to conserve resources.
Sources: Fox News, The Associated Press.
