Cuba suffers third nationwide blackout in 2025 amid US fuel blockade

On Monday, Cuba faced its third nationwide blackout of 2025, leaving 9.6 million residents in darkness. The state electricity provider, Union Electrica (UNE), declared a "total disconnection" at noon but did not offer an explanation. This incident is the eighth blackout since late 2024. President Miguel Diaz-Canel attributed the crisis to US sanctions, labeling them a "strangulation" tactic. This situation follows President Donald Trump's decision in January to halt oil shipments to the island, which has severely impacted fuel availability for power generation. Lazaro Guerra, the Ministry of Energy and Mines' electricity director, acknowledged on state television that the fuel shortage "undoubtedly complicates the restoration process," though no repair timeline was provided. The blackout intensifies the existing hardships faced by Cubans due to significant fuel shortages.