More hardship in fuel-starved Cuba, hit by third nationwide blackout this year

Cuba experienced its third nationwide power outage of the year on Monday, plunging its 9.6 million residents into darkness. The state electricity company, Union Electrica (UNE), announced a "total disconnection" to the entire island at midday, though no specific reason was given. This event exacerbates an ongoing energy crisis, which the article states was worsened by former US President Donald Trump's decision in January to cut off oil supplies. This action depleted the island's dwindling fuel reserves for its power plants. The blackout adds to the existing hardships faced by the Cuban population.

Cuba experienced its third nationwide power blackout this year on Monday, impacting its nearly 10 million residents. The state-run Electric Union is investigating the cause, but the country's energy crisis is attributed to diminishing fuel reserves and a crumbling electric grid, exacerbated by a US fuel blockade. Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that protocols were activated to restore power, prioritizing vital services like hospitals and food production. The situation has worsened since January when US President Donald Trump cut off oil deliveries from Venezuela and threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, intensifying the island's financial crisis. Washington's sanctions campaign aims to end Cuba's communist government.

Cuba experienced an island-wide blackout on Monday, affecting approximately 10 million people, marking the third major outage this year. The crisis stems from chronic fuel shortages and a deteriorating power system, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions imposed in January that threaten tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. The blackout halted public transportation and led to the cancellation of tens of thousands of surgeries. Cuban officials blamed U.S. policies, including an "energy blockade," for the ongoing struggles, while the U.S. has increased pressure on foreign entities supporting Cuba's economy. The situation intensified earlier this year when Venezuelan oil exports, a key fuel source for Cuba, were cut off.

Cuba experienced its third nationwide power outage this year on Monday, according to the state electricity company. The island nation was already facing difficulties maintaining power before the US imposed an oil blockade in January, which has significantly reduced fuel supplies for its power plants. This latest blackout is the eighth since late 2024, with authorities implementing increasingly severe, prolonged power cuts to conserve fuel. The aging electricity generation system, largely composed of Soviet-era plants, is in disrepair. The US blockade, along with other sanctions, has exacerbated shortages of essential goods like food, water, and medicine, leading the UN to warn of a humanitarian emergency. While Cuba is investing in solar energy, it currently accounts for only 10% of the energy mix.

Cuba experienced an island-wide blackout on Monday due to dwindling fuel reserves and a deteriorating electric grid. The state-run Electric Union reported the outage, with the cause under investigation by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Fuel shortages have plagued the country since January, exacerbated by U.S. threats of tariffs on oil suppliers, worsening Cuba's economic crisis. This has led to the halting of public transportation and the cancellation of numerous surgeries. Cuba produces only 40% of its fuel needs, and a recent Russian oil delivery was depleted by April. The government has also been implementing intentional power rationing, with outages sometimes exceeding 24 hours.