Cuba in Darkness: The Power Crisis Amid U.S. Tensions
Cuba faces a severe power crisis due to a partial collapse of its electrical grid, exacerbated by a U.S. fuel blockade. Essential services have seen minor power restoration, but widespread outages persist, fueling protests and economic despair. The crisis highlights the strained U.S.-Cuba relations and their impact on everyday life.
Cuba's electrical grid experienced a partial collapse early Thursday, plunging eastern regions into darkness, according to UNE, the nation's grid operator. This incident has further tested the resilience of Cubans amid ongoing U.S. fuel restrictions.
By midday, though power had been restored to select essential services, vast areas, including Santiago de Cuba, remained largely powerless. The Caribbean island's ten million residents have encountered severe power shortages as summer intensifies.
The situation deteriorated post-January following U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs, leading Venezuela and Mexico to halt fuel shipments. This has resulted in prolonged blackouts, inciting protests and exacerbating tensions between Havana and Washington over energy supplies.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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