Cuba is going dark under US pressure. How the crisis unfolded and why its troubles are far from over
Cuba is going dark under US pressure. How the crisis unfolded and why its troubles are far from over
Three months into the US-imposed oil embargo, Cuba’s energy situation has deteriorated significantly. Trash accumulates on Havana’s streets, hospitals struggle with limited capacity, and households rely on wood fires for heating. Blackouts have become a routine occurrence, disrupting daily life across the nation. President Miguel DÃaz-Canel outlined the challenges during a televised address, stating that authorities are actively searching for solutions but admitted the challenges remain considerable.
The crisis traces back to the 1960s, when the United States initiated an economic embargo targeting Cuba. A UN report highlighted that this policy has cost the island “trillions of dollars” and hindered its “overall human development.” Despite international appeals to ease sanctions, the US has intensified pressure on the communist government. In January, the US severed Cuba’s primary oil supply from Venezuela following a military operation that captured its leader, compelling the acting administration to pause deliveries.
Weeks later, Cuba faced further disruptions as Mexico and other suppliers halted oil exports after US threats of additional tariffs. The argument centered on Havana’s alignment with “hostile countries and malign actors,” a claim the Cuban government denied. The loss of oil has deepened the nation’s energy struggles, compounding existing power outages. DÃaz-Canel noted that the frequency of service interruptions has increased, with power plants unable to function due to fuel shortages.
A nationwide blackout struck the island on Monday, marking the first such event since the oil embargo began. Antonio RodrÃguez RodrÃguez, head of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), confirmed that the fuel shortage is also threatening water access. He mentioned efforts to mitigate the impact, including the installation of solar panels to lessen reliance on the electrical grid. The Cuban administration claims to be addressing the oil crisis by boosting domestic production.
Blackouts have disrupted education, transportation, and healthcare. DÃaz-Canel cited that “tens of thousands” of patients are waiting for procedures due to insufficient electricity. In Havana, garbage trucks lack fuel, leaving streets littered with waste. Public transit has been reduced, causing long waits at stations and overcrowded buses. CNN has contacted the ministries of transportation and public health for more details on how these issues are being managed.
“The humanitarian situation in Cuba was already extremely fragile, but the electricity crisis is pushing many essential services to the limit,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “People don’t have reliable access to drinking water, hospitals can’t operate safely, basic goods are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and garbage is piling up in the streets.”
Protests have emerged as a response to the crisis, rare in Cuba. On March 7, residents in Havana streets drummed pots and pans and lit fires to voice frustration. A week later, students staged a peaceful demonstration at the University of Havana, citing power and internet outages as barriers to their studies. In Morón, demonstrators stormed the local Communist Party headquarters, with five arrests reported for protesting energy shortages and food access.
As the situation worsens, the Cuban government faces mounting pressure to stabilize essential services. The path forward remains uncertain, with the crisis threatening to deepen its societal and economic challenges.
