Cuba is going dark under US pressure. How the crisis unfolded and why its troubles are far from over

Cuba is going dark under US pressure. How the crisis unfolded and why its troubles are far from over

Three months into the US-led oil embargo, Cuba is grappling with a severe energy crisis that has disrupted daily life. Streets in Havana now overflow with waste, hospitals face limitations on procedures, and households rely on wood fires for warmth. Power outages have become routine, with nationwide blackouts occurring more frequently. President Miguel Díaz-Canel highlighted the challenges in a televised address, stating that authorities are actively searching for solutions but emphasizing the difficulty of the task.

Historical Context and Recent Escalation

Since 1960, the US has enforced an economic embargo on Cuba, according to a UN report, which has drained the island’s resources and hindered its development. Despite global appeals to ease sanctions, the US intensified its pressure in early January by halting oil supplies from Venezuela. This followed a military operation that captured Venezuela’s president and compelled the acting government to suspend fuel deliveries. Subsequently, Mexico and other suppliers reduced their shipments after US threats of new tariffs, citing Havana’s alliance with “hostile countries and malign actors.”

Cuba’s reliance on oil for transportation and electricity generation has deepened the crisis. Prolonged outages, already a regular occurrence, have worsened in recent months. Díaz-Canel noted that power plants are running low on fuel, causing frequent service interruptions. The latest blackout, which occurred on Monday, marked the first such event since the oil blockade began.

Broader Impacts and Government Response

Shortages are also threatening water distribution. Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, head of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), stated that the agency is exploring alternatives like solar panels to reduce dependence on the electrical grid. The Cuban government claims it is boosting domestic production to counter the oil deficit. CNN has contacted INRH and Aguas de La Habana for further updates on mitigation efforts.

Essential services such as education, transport, and healthcare are under strain. Díaz-Canel reported that thousands of patients are awaiting surgeries due to insufficient power. Garbage trucks, lacking fuel, have left Havana’s streets cluttered, while public transportation has been scaled back, creating long queues and overcrowded buses. Additional details were requested from the ministries of transportation and public health.

Protests and Humanitarian Concerns

Public demonstrations, uncommon in Cuba, have emerged as frustration grows. On March 7, residents in parts of Havana gathered to voice discontent, using pots, pans, and bonfires as symbols of resistance. Students later protested at the University of Havana, citing the loss of study time due to power and internet outages. In Morón, demonstrators attacked the Communist Party’s local office, leading to five arrests. These protests underscore the deepening impact of the crisis on everyday life.

“The humanitarian situation in Cuba was already extremely fragile, but the electricity crisis is pushing many essential services to the limit,” Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement to CNN. “People don’t have reliable access to drinking water, hospitals can’t operate safely, basic goods are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and garbage is piling up in the streets.”