Cubans struggle to bounce back after 6th nationwide blackout this year

Cubans grapple with the sixth nationwide blackout this year, as the island nation continues to spiral after the Trump administration severed oil ties in January. The power grid failures leave residents with limited means to navigate daily life, as the United States maintains a staunch pressure campaign against the communist government.

State-run electric company officials are working to restore electricity following the latest "total" blackout reported on Sunday night, though the exact cause remains undisclosed. Several cities, including Pinar del Río, Matanzas, and Havana, experienced widespread outages, leaving a significant portion of the Caribbean country without power by Monday. While some electricity has been restored in Havana, the vast majority of Cuba remains disconnected.

Cuba has been grappling with years of economic and energy crises, exacerbated by dilapidated infrastructure and mass emigration. The U.S. threatened tariffs on any goods from nations providing oil to Cuba, further straining the island's resources. Energy authorities have already reported two nationwide grid collapses in March and three in July, along with numerous partial outages.

Rolling blackouts now persist for over 20 hours each day. Obtaining gas and basic necessities has become a daily challenge, as the nation's infrastructure continues to crumble. The island's once-thriving tourism sector has reached a standstill. Hospitals struggle to cope, and many in Havana find respite from the summer heat by sleeping along the waterfront promenade, the malecón.