Kathmandu— On Sunday evening, Cuba's state-owned grid operator announced that the national electricity system had collapsed, plunging the country into darkness. This is the fourth nationwide blackout this month, affecting all 10 million residents, including those in Havana. The Ministry of Energy has initiated protocols to restore power but faces ongoing challenges due to aging infrastructure and US sanctions.
Impact on Daily Life
The latest outage has severely disrupted daily life across Cuba. Water supplies have been affected, as well as cooling systems during the hot summer months. Residents are struggling with basic necessities such as food storage and communication.
Cuba's reliance on aging oil-fired power plants exacerbates these issues. The country lost its primary fuel supplier, Venezuela, after US President Donald Trump imposed an oil blockade following Washington’s ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2023.
US Sanctions and Diplomatic Pressures
The United States has intensified sanctions against Cuba under the Trump administration. These measures have led to several foreign companies suspending operations on the island, further straining its economy.
Washington also indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro over the downing of two civilian planes 30 years ago, which resulted in the deaths of three US citizens and a US resident. The US has designated Cuba as a 'state sponsor of terrorism' for a third time in 2025.
(With inputs from DW)
Originally published on abcnews.com.np.
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