‘Absolutely no fuel’: Cuba hit by blackouts, protests amid power outages
Summary
Cuba faces severe power outages due to running out of fuel, causing widespread blackouts and rare protests in Havana. The Cuban government blames U.S. sanctions for the crisis, while the U.S. has offered aid if Cuba agrees to political reforms.Key Facts
- Cuba’s fuel reserves are depleted, leading to large-scale electricity blackouts across the island.
- The government said it has no fuel, oil, or diesel and is relying on limited domestic production and solar energy.
- Protests have occurred in Havana neighborhoods, with residents expressing frustration over the ongoing power cuts.
- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the U.S. sanctions, which he called an “energy blockade,” for worsening the crisis.
- The power system depends on old thermoelectric plants that often break down, worsening the outages.
- The United States tightened fuel shipment restrictions to Cuba in January 2024, worsening the fuel shortages.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered $100 million in aid, but only if it is distributed through the Catholic Church, not the Cuban government.
- President Donald Trump has applied increased pressure on Cuba to bring political change and supports the aid offer tied to reforms.
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