{
  "id": 1711836,
  "title": "Havana hollowed by blackouts, hunger, and mass exodus amid US fuel embargo on Cuba",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/havana-hollowed-by-blackouts-hunger-and-mass-exodus-amid-us-fuel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/18/havana-hollowed-by-blackouts-hunger-and-mass-exodus-amid-us-fuel-embargo-on-cuba/231783"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Havana, once celebrated for its vibrant culture and nightlife, now struggles under the weight of blackouts, mass departures, and an uncertain future. The Malecon, once a bustling seafront promenade, is now barely visible at night due to the lack of power. In the quiet of the night, scavengers sift through trash in search of food or items to sell, as hunger grips the city. Manuel Sanchez Angeira, a 50-year-old man with mouth cancer, laments his lack of home and family, scraping by in the shadows. Protests break out in the daylight, as residents vent their frustration over the power cuts and violence on the streets. Most Habaneros avoid the old town after dark, fearing for their safety. Tourists are scarce, with few Mexican or Colombian visitors remaining. The city's famed landmarks, such as El Floridita and Sloppy Joe's, now stand silent, shuttered and neglected. Despite the efforts of historian Eusebio Leal, who sought to restore the city's historic charm and secured UNESCO Heritage status, many of his projects now lie in ruins. As Irina Aguirre, a tarot card reader, reflects on the city's future, she acknowledges the uncertainty and the lack of hope in a nation held captive by the US fuel embargo.",
  "summary": "HAVANA, Aug 18 — Once a byword for joyful excess, Havana has been hollowed by blackouts, departures and deep uncer...",
  "key_points": [
    "Havana plagued by blackouts and hunger",
    "Mass exodus as residents flee the city",
    "US fuel embargo exacerbates crisis"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}