Cuba Faces Ongoing Power Crisis Amid Blockade
Cuba is grappling with a severe blackout that has plunged many areas into darkness, marking at least the sixth significant outage this year. The recent failure in the electrical grid, attributed to high-voltage transmission issues and adverse weather conditions, further exacerbates an ongoing power crisis.
The state-run Union Electrica (UNE) reported that nearly half of Havana’s residents have had their power restored as of Saturday, though restoration efforts are gradual. This blackout is part of a troubling pattern in which Cuba has experienced over a dozen similar incidents since late 2024, attributed largely to the country’s aging infrastructure and fuel shortages.
The situation has deteriorated in part due to a US-imposed energy blockade, which began in January and has intensified the economic pressures on the island. United Nations human rights experts have condemned the blockade, claiming it violates international law and warning of escalating humanitarian issues in Cuba.
Residents express frustration and exhaustion from continuous outages. “It’s one thing after another: no water, no gas for cooking, no electricity,” lamented a local teacher. Many have found themselves living in a state of uncertainty, struggling with the basic necessities of life.
