Cuba has not acquired oil shipments since early January amid US strain, worsening the humanitarian disaster on the island.
Revealed On 16 Mar 2026
Cuba’s nationwide energy grid has collapsed amid an ongoing United States-imposed oil blockade on the island nation.
The collapse on Monday left the complete nation of about 10 million with out energy, in response to the Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba (UNE). The state-owned firm stated it was working to revive electrical energy flows.
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It added that it was investigating what precipitated the “full shutdown of the nationwide grid”.
No oil has been imported to Cuba since January 9 amid the US strain marketing campaign.
Following the US navy abduction of Venezuelan chief Nicolas Maduro, the federal government of Venezuela’s interim chief Delcy Rodriguez agreed to stifle oil shipments to Cuba.
US President Donald Trump subsequently threatened different nations, notably Mexico, with sanctions in the event that they delivered gasoline to the island, which depends nearly solely on oil imports.
His administration has brazenly stated it sought regime change in Communist-led Cuba, which had been beneath a decades-long US commerce embargo previous to the newest actions.
Reuters information company reported that Cuba has acquired solely two small vessels carrying oil imports this yr, citing SEG ship-tracking knowledge it reviewed.
Earlier this month, a blackout hit two-thirds of the nation, primarily within the centre and west, for over a day after a breakdown on the Antonio Guiteras energy plant, the island’s largest.
The US actions have additional strained Cuba’s years-long financial woes, inflicting a humanitarian disaster amid widespread shortages of gasoline, meals and medication.
The situations have fomented uncommon public unrest on the island, with protesters torching a Communist Social gathering workplace over the weekend. Rights teams have warned in opposition to any US makes an attempt to rally dissent by worsening the dwelling situations for residents.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed final week that his authorities had held talks with the Trump administration.
Trump, who has beforehand urged a “pleasant takeover” of Cuba, stated on Sunday that Cuba “needs to make a deal”.
His prime officers, in the meantime, have vowed the US will proceed to take a militaristic approach to Latin America, even because the US fights a struggle in opposition to Iran alongside Israel.
“I feel we are going to fairly quickly both make a deal or do no matter we have now to do,” Trump stated.
