Cuba faces another nationwide blackout amid US fuel blockade

Deutsche Welle (English)State / PublicProgressive4 hr. ago

Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout on Friday, marking the seventh such event this year and the twelfth since late 2024. The Energy Ministry reported a complete disconnection of the electrical system, with only 5% of Havana having electricity. State-run utility UNE attributed the outage to failed transmission lines and unstable weather, though many Cubans blame the ongoing US fuel blockade. The crisis has led to prolonged power cuts, disrupting water supply, cooking gas, telecommunications, and transportation. With over 9 million residents, Cuba is facing a deepening economic crisis, with an independent study estimating that 66% of the population now lives in poverty, driven by rising food prices. Residents describe the situation as dire, with daily struggles over basic necessities. The US sanctions, particularly the oil embargo under Trump's administration, have severely limited Cuba's ability to import fuel and maintenance parts, exacerbating infrastructure issues. Havana accuses the US of worsening the crisis, while Washington attributes the problems to Cuba's state-controlled economy.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the blackout and broader crisis as a direct consequence of US sanctions, emphasizing the impact of the US fuel blockade and referencing Trump's policies. While it presents both Cuban and US perspectives, the emphasis on the US role and the portrayal of Cuba's suffering aligns with