Cuba faces 'blackout' as energy crisis deepens amid fuel shortages

Cuba has once again suffered a complete collapse of its National Electric Power System (SEN), plunging the entire island nation into darkness. This marks the third major nationwide blackout in under two weeks, impacting more than nine million Cubans. The recurring power failures are intensifying the island's ongoing financial and economic crisis, which has been further strained by a chronic fuel shortage.

Fuel scarcity has been a persistent problem since January, when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. This has led to the suspension of public transportation across the country and the cancellation of tens of thousands of medical procedures. Reports indicate that Cuba is currently producing only 40 percent of the fuel it requires, exacerbating the energy deficit.

The latest blackout occurred around midday on Tuesday, with power supply only partially restored since then. Last week alone saw two major national power outages, following similar incidents in March and several regional blackouts. These frequent and widespread power interruptions have severe consequences for the Cuban population. They have resulted in significant limitations on traffic, reduced working hours, canceled flights, and dire impacts on public health services.

These energy challenges are compounded by the U.S. energy embargo, which Washington intensified in January. These measures have deepened a long-standing crisis already burdened by earlier sanctions and ineffective domestic economic policies. The cumulative effect is a nation struggling to maintain basic services and economic stability amidst a severe energy crisis.