Protests have flared across Havana as worsening electricity shortages trigger deeper anger among residents. Demonstrations erupted amid repeated, prolonged power cuts, with many protesters blaming the strain of the US blockade. The unrest underscores how energy stress is amplifying broader frustrations in Cuba, raising fears of further instability as outages continue.
Cuba is battling relentless blackouts amid a widening energy squeeze, and the lifeline is increasingly coming from China. Chinese solar panels and batteries are pouring in, while Cuba plans to scale up renewable power with 92 solar farms by 2028. The strategy aims to cut reliance on imported oil and lessen vulnerability to external pressure.
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Cuba’s energy and mines minister says the country has completely run out of diesel and fuel oil, triggering its worst rolling blackouts in decades in Havana. Many areas reportedly face 20 to 22 hours without power daily. The island’s grid relies on domestic and renewable energy, but rising fuel import costs and the U.S. blockade are worsening the crisis.
US President Donald Trump said Cuba is seeking assistance from the United States and that discussions with Havana will follow. The remarks come after Trump previously warned Cuba was next, referencing US actions after Venezuela. His administration has imposed financial sanctions, travel restrictions, and a fuel blockade, while both US and Cuban officials were unavailable for comment.
President Donald Trump says Cuba is asking for help, signaling imminent discussions that could mark a shift in US approach. The statement comes as Trump prepares for a diplomatic visit to China, where Cuba’s future may be raised. The US has maintained a tight grip on Cuba through sanctions, even as China continues to pressure the US on the matter.
President Donald Trump sparked headlines with a joke suggesting the U.S. Navy could take on Cuba on the way home from Iran. He claimed the USS Abraham Lincoln might approach Cuba’s coast and demand surrender, in a context of renewed U.S. pressure for Cuban reforms. The remark follows Trump’s earlier threats of possible military action.
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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order expanding U.S. sanctions on Cuba, aiming at people and entities tied to the island’s security apparatus as well as those accused of corruption and human rights abuses. The order also enables secondary sanctions for third-party transactions, signaling tougher pressure on Havana after recent U.S. moves targeting Venezuela.
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