Mar 16 β€’ 18:40 UTC πŸ‡§πŸ‡· Brazil Folha (PT)

Under U.S. Blockade, Cuba Suffers Total Power Grid Failure and Goes Dark

Cuba's state electricity operator reported a total blackout affecting all 10 million residents due to the ongoing U.S. blockade that has restricted essential oil supplies.

Cuba experienced a complete power grid failure on Monday, leaving all of its approximately 10 million residents without electricity. This catastrophic outage is attributed to the ongoing U.S. blockade, which has severely limited the importation of oil that is crucial for the island's energy sector. The blockade, in place for nearly three months, has been intensified due to the geopolitical changes following the capture of Venezuelan leader NicolΓ‘s Maduro, which has deprived Cuba of its main energy backer.

The state electricity company reported no apparent malfunctions in the operating thermoelectric plants at the time of the total system disconnection. The specifics concerning the reasons behind this failure remain unclear, and there is currently no information regarding the anticipated resumption of power. For years, Cuba has suffered from persistent blackouts, a crisis that has been exacerbated since last year as the nation struggled with declining energy resources.

The situation has sparked unrest among citizens, with protests on Saturday against the government's handling of the energy crisis. Demonstrators criticized the regime and targeted a government office, highlighting the growing frustration among the population as essential services collapse. The electricity challenges in Cuba not only impact daily life but also reflect the broader effects of U.S. sanctions, putting additional pressure on an already struggling economy and prompting calls for accountability from the Cuban leadership.

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