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’s energy woes have deepened, affecting nearly every facet of daily life. Streets in the capital are now littered with waste, hospitals are rationing procedures, and wood fires are replacing electricity for heating. Blackouts, once sporadic, have become a near-daily reality, straining the nation’s resilience. In a televised press conference, President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating authorities are actively working to resolve it but recognizing the challenge as significant.

The US has maintained economic sanctions on Cuba since the 1960s, costing the island “trillions of dollars” and hindering “overall human development,” according to a UN report. Despite international appeals to ease restrictions, Washington has intensified pressure on Havana. In early January, the US severed Cuba’s primary oil source, Venezuela, after capturing its leader in a military operation and compelling its interim government to suspend fuel exports. Soon after, other suppliers like Mexico followed suit, halting shipments under US threats of higher tariffs. The rationale? Cuba’s alignment with “hostile countries and malign actors” and its support for military and intelligence operations, claims the US, which Havana denies.

With oil supplies dwindling, Cuba’s energy crisis has worsened. Power plants lack enough fuel to function, leading to frequent outages that disrupt services. On Monday, the country endured its first nationwide blackout since the embargo began, underscoring the electricity shortfall. The impact extends beyond power: Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, head of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), noted the fuel shortage is also threatening water distribution. His agency is exploring solar panel installations to lessen reliance on the grid, as reported last week.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government claims to be boosting domestic oil production to counter the crisis. CNN has contacted both INRH and the Aguas de La Habana utility for updates on mitigation strategies. Essential services like education, transport, and healthcare are also under strain. Díaz-Canel cited “tens of thousands” of patients delayed due to electricity cuts, while Havana’s streets face mounting trash buildup because garbage trucks can’t operate without fuel. Public transport has been scaled back, creating long lines at stations and overcrowded buses.

Human Rights Watch warns the electricity crisis is amplifying Cuba’s existing humanitarian struggles. “The situation was already precarious, but the energy shortage is forcing critical systems to the brink,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at HRW, in a statement to CNN. She highlighted challenges such as unreliable drinking water access, unsafe hospital conditions, and difficulty securing basic goods. The protests, once rare, have emerged as a symbol of growing frustration. On March 7, residents in Havana staged demonstrations with pots and pans, while students later gathered peacefully at the University of Havana to protest disrupted studies. In Morón, demonstrators briefly damaged the Communist Party’s local office, leading to five arrests linked to energy and food shortages.

As the crisis persists, questions remain about its long-term consequences. The US continues to exert pressure, and Cuba’s ability to recover hinges on its capacity to adapt to these challenges. With no clear resolution in sight, the island’s citizens are left navigating a landscape of hardship and uncertainty.