Millions without power in Cuba as electrical grid collapses again

HAVANA, Cuba - A nationwide power outage plunged the island nation into darkness on Friday, leaving millions without electricity amid a US pressure campaign that has blocked oil supplies from reaching Cuba. The collapse was triggered by a failure in high-voltage transmission lines in central Cuba around 2pm local time, according to authorities.

Protocols were initiated to gradually restore the power system, with power returning to some areas, primarily hospitals, by late evening. However, much of the city remained dark under cloudy skies and rain.

This marks the sixth total or partial grid collapse in Cuba since January, a stark reminder of the country's reliance on frequent blackouts due to fuel shortages and outdated infrastructure. The recurring failures have been exacerbated by a US-imposed oil embargo since January, which has further strained Cuba's power generation system.

Residents of the capital, Havana, are no strangers to extended periods without power. Frank Lorenzo, a 23-year-old resident, recounted his recent experience of being without power for 24 hours before the grid collapsed again. "They turned the lights on for an hour, and then the grid collapsed," he said, looking forward to a long night of enduring mosquitoes and heat.

Cuba's aging power generation system has been under severe strain for years, but the US oil blockade has significantly worsened the situation. The frequent blackouts have led to a growing energy crisis, prompting UN human rights experts to condemn the US oil embargo as a violation of international law and warning that Cuba could become a "silent Gaza" as shortages and blackouts become increasingly critical.