Cuba's Power Grid Critical as US Fuel Blockade Triggers Protests

Cuba’s energy infrastructure has reached a critical state following four months of US-blocked fuel shipments, leading to widespread power outages and civil unrest. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy confirmed that oil and diesel reserves are exhausted, attributing the crisis to an executive order by US President Donald Trump that threatens tariffs on nations supplying Cuba with fuel. Consequently, traditional suppliers Venezuela and Mexico have halted deliveries, leaving Cuba reliant on limited Russian shipments. The resulting blackouts, lasting up to 20 hours daily in Havana, sparked protests where citizens blocked roads and demanded electricity. The United Nations condemned the blockade as unlawful, citing violations of basic human rights. Meanwhile, the US State Department offered $100 million in humanitarian aid, contingent on distribution through independent organizations, a move Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected as part of a genocidal strategy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed the crisis on systemic corruption within the Cuban military regime. The situation is further complicated by rising global oil prices linked to the Iran war, intensifying the humanitarian emergency on the island.