Arabic version: كوبا تواجه انقطاع التيار الكهربائي على مستوى البلاد مع فشل شبكة الطاقة

Millions in Cuba have been left without power after the national electric grid collapsed on Monday, according to BBC News. This incident is the latest in a series of widespread blackouts that have plagued the island nation, exacerbated by ongoing fuel shortages and the impact of a US blockade on oil shipments.

Cuba’s grid operator, UNE, has stated that it is gradually restoring electricity across various provinces and cities. The island, home to around 10 million people, has battled widespread blackouts in recent years, leading to public discontent and rare protests.

The country heavily depends on imported fuel, with Venezuela previously supplying around 35,000 barrels of oil daily, fulfilling about half of Cuba’s energy needs. However, these shipments have been halted since the US ramped up pressure on Cuba by seizing a number of oil shipments bound for the island following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed that no oil shipments have arrived in Cuba in the last three months.

US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Cuba by threatening tariffs on any country that supplies oil to the island. Last week, Diaz-Canel indicated that his government was in initial stages of talks with the Trump administration to resolve ongoing issues.

The persistent blackouts, driven by fuel shortages and faults within the power grid, have sparked protests among citizens. Recently, demonstrators stormed a Communist Party building in Moron after a rally over steep food prices and persistent power cuts. A Havana resident expressed her resignation to the situation, stating that she has grown accustomed to living without reliable power.