Cuba is facing a dire economic and political turning point. Many Cubans in the diaspora believe the days of the failed political system on the island are almost over. Cuba's more progressive social policies have helped to redeem the authoritarian excesses of the revolution’s early years.
Cuba's economy is in free fall. Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout this week. The island has exhausted its fuel reserves and electricity is intermittent. Cuba’s tourism sector is in decline. Cuba has spent decades decapitalizing its economy and undermining the engines of the country's prosperity.
The national power grid completely went offline at about 11:05 am (1505 GMT) Tuesday. It was the third complete blackout on the Caribbean island since early July and the fifth since the start of 2026. Cuba is reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades, made worse by the fuel blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump in January.
Dr. Orlando J. Pérez, professor of political science at the University of North Texas at Dallas, explains the scope of China's involvement in Cuba. He explains the impact of the U.S. removal of Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro, on Cuba's political leadership.
The current economic crisis in Cuba mirrors the "Special Period" of deprivation and hardship after the collapse of the Soviet Union 35 years ago. The current crisis is different in many respects. In Havana, at least, restaurants are open and stores are well stocked with foodstuffs. Today, Cubans have less hope and more despair and blame the U.S. embargo for their plight.
Cuba's national power grid has collapsed, plunging the island into its third nationwide blackout in less than 10 days. About 10 million people are without electricity. The latest blackout comes as Cuba faces its worst economic crisis in decades, worsened by an oil blockade imposed by the United States.
Cuba has suffered its third nationwide blackout in little over a week. It's the fifth blackout to strike Cuba since the start of 2026. The island is heavily dependent on fuel imports to keep its energy networks going. Cuba's energy minister said the issues with Cuba's electrical grid were "exacerbated" by U.S. actions.
There was another blackout of the National Electric System in Cuba on Tuesday, leaving the entire country without power. It was the third such incident in two weeks as a U.S. oil embargo stresses the island's grid. Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs and a solution for fuel imports is not yet in sight.
Relations between the United States and Cuba have been strained since the 1959 revolution. Washington imposed a trade embargo against the socialist island that is still in effect today. Since Donald Trump took office, his government has increased the pressure on Havana with further sanctions. Trump has also repeatedly brought up a possible “takeover” of the economically struggling Caribbean state.
U.S. imposed sanctions on Cuban state-owned enterprises, militia groups, surveillance organizations and Cuba's Tourism Ministry to squeeze the regime. Measures hit state firms tied to fuel imports and trade, many linked to military-run GAESA, worsening Cuba's severe economic crisis. US President Donald Trump has heaped pressure on Cuba since January.
Cuba is facing a dire economic and political turning point. Many Cubans in the diaspora believe the days of the failed political system on the island are almost over. Cuba's more progressive social policies have helped to redeem the authoritarian excesses of the revolution’s early years.
Cuba's economy is in free fall. Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout this week. The island has exhausted its fuel reserves and electricity is intermittent. Cuba’s tourism sector is in decline. Cuba has spent decades decapitalizing its economy and undermining the engines of the country's prosperity.
The national power grid completely went offline at about 11:05 am (1505 GMT) Tuesday. It was the third complete blackout on the Caribbean island since early July and the fifth since the start of 2026. Cuba is reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades, made worse by the fuel blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump in January.
Dr. Orlando J. Pérez, professor of political science at the University of North Texas at Dallas, explains the scope of China's involvement in Cuba. He explains the impact of the U.S. removal of Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro, on Cuba's political leadership.
The current economic crisis in Cuba mirrors the "Special Period" of deprivation and hardship after the collapse of the Soviet Union 35 years ago. The current crisis is different in many respects. In Havana, at least, restaurants are open and stores are well stocked with foodstuffs. Today, Cubans have less hope and more despair and blame the U.S. embargo for their plight.
Cuba's national power grid has collapsed, plunging the island into its third nationwide blackout in less than 10 days. About 10 million people are without electricity. The latest blackout comes as Cuba faces its worst economic crisis in decades, worsened by an oil blockade imposed by the United States.
Cuba has suffered its third nationwide blackout in little over a week. It's the fifth blackout to strike Cuba since the start of 2026. The island is heavily dependent on fuel imports to keep its energy networks going. Cuba's energy minister said the issues with Cuba's electrical grid were "exacerbated" by U.S. actions.
There was another blackout of the National Electric System in Cuba on Tuesday, leaving the entire country without power. It was the third such incident in two weeks as a U.S. oil embargo stresses the island's grid. Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs and a solution for fuel imports is not yet in sight.
Relations between the United States and Cuba have been strained since the 1959 revolution. Washington imposed a trade embargo against the socialist island that is still in effect today. Since Donald Trump took office, his government has increased the pressure on Havana with further sanctions. Trump has also repeatedly brought up a possible “takeover” of the economically struggling Caribbean state.
U.S. imposed sanctions on Cuban state-owned enterprises, militia groups, surveillance organizations and Cuba's Tourism Ministry to squeeze the regime. Measures hit state firms tied to fuel imports and trade, many linked to military-run GAESA, worsening Cuba's severe economic crisis. US President Donald Trump has heaped pressure on Cuba since January.