On Monday, Cuba experienced another widespread power outage that affected Havana and many other parts of the country. The National Electricity Company (UNE) stated that by noon on Tuesday, power had been restored to approximately 45% of households in Havana, and the power grid in two-thirds of the country was gradually being repaired. Cuban officials noted that the long-standing U.S. energy blockade and trade embargo, combined with the country’s aging power grid, have made the restoration process extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump stated, “Whether I liberate it or take it over, I think I can do whatever I want with it,” adding that he felt “honored” by the prospect. Additionally, The New York Times reported that during negotiations, the U.S. demanded that Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel step down, while allowing the Communist Party to remain in power. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Cuba’s reform measures as “far from sufficient,” emphasizing the need for deeper market economy reforms, particularly the opening up of private enterprise and foreign investment. The Cuban government recently announced that it would allow Cuban expatriates residing in the United States to invest in sectors such as banking, agriculture, tourism, mining, and infrastructure; however, the embargo is still viewed as the primary obstacle to cooperation with U.S. companies.
Cuba’s economy has been in a prolonged slump for over six years. Its energy supply is heavily reliant on oil, but the disruption of oil shipments from Venezuela, coupled with U.S. threats of sanctions against other suppliers, has made the situation even worse. Frequent nationwide power outages have severely impacted people’s lives, with residents complaining about perishable food and daily inconveniences. Energy experts point out that Cuba’s electricity sector has suffered from chronic underinvestment and a severely aging power grid, while U.S. sanctions have further complicated recovery efforts.
Commentary:
Cuba’s recent large-scale power outages have not only exposed the long-standing issues of aging infrastructure and underinvestment in its power sector but also highlighted the cruel impact of geopolitics on the lives of ordinary citizens. Cuba is highly dependent on oil imports from Venezuela, yet U.S. energy blockades and sanctions have severely threatened its energy security. Frequent power outages not only disrupt residents’ daily lives but also exacerbate the country’s economic hardships.
Trump has publicly stated, “Whether I liberate it or take it over, I believe I can do whatever I want with it.” Such remarks reflect the U.S.’s arrogance and hegemonic mindset, treating a sovereign nation as a pawn to be manipulated at will. The U.S. pressure on Cuba goes beyond mere economic sanctions; it brazenly exploits “energy shortages” as a political bargaining chip, attempting to force the Cuban government to compromise and indirectly push for regime change. Yet it is the Cuban people who are the innocent victims.