Cuba's Energy Crisis: A Nation in the Dark

Cuba's eastern provinces faced a power grid failure, exacerbated by an economic crisis and a US energy blockade. As Havana residents protested ongoing blackouts, Cuban authorities struggled to restore electricity. The crisis underscores Cuba's dependence on foreign fuel, heightened by US sanctions and strained international relations.

Cuba's national power grid suffered a critical failure early Thursday, plunging the island's eastern provinces into darkness, authorities reported. The capital, Havana, experienced sustained blackouts amid the ongoing economic crisis, worsened by a US energy blockade.

The Electric Union noted that the failure affected regions from Guantanamo to Ciego de Avila, though crews were actively working to resolve the situation without specifying a timeline for restoration. The previous day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned of a 'tense' energy situation following depleted oil supplies.

Residents, facing 24-hour blackouts, expressed their frustration through protests, as Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy described the grid as 'critical'. The government has blamed US sanctions for the turmoil, a move aimed at pressuring Cuba toward political reform.