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Cuba Faces Blackouts Amid Power Grid Collapse, Protests Erupt

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Cuban national power grid collapsed again, plunging 11 million residents into darkness.
The crisis is driven by a U.S. oil blockade that worsens fuel shortages.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged ongoing talks with the United States but criticized external pressures.
Protests erupted in Havana as citizens faced daily blackouts and worsening living conditions.
The United Nations warned of potential collapse.

History

Historical Context

Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Cuba faced a severe economic crisis, with GDP shrinking by 35% and oil imports plummeting. The U.S. embargo, intensified by the Cuban Democracy Act in 1992, worsened conditions, leading to widespread shortages. Today, a power grid failure affecting 11 million residents reflects ongoing struggles against external pressures and internal mismanagement, underscoring the need for urgent reforms.

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Story summary

The Cuban national power grid collapsed again, plunging 11 million residents into darkness.
The crisis is driven by a U.S. oil blockade that worsens fuel shortages.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged ongoing talks with the United States but criticized external pressures.
Protests erupted in Havana as citizens faced daily blackouts and worsening living conditions.
The United Nations warned of potential collapse.

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