The Cuban government announced on Monday that the island nation experienced a nationwide blackout, described by the Ministry of Energy and Mines as a "total disconnection" from the electricity grid. In a post on X, the ministry stated that the causes are being investigated and restoration protocols are being activated.

This incident occurs as the Trump administration in the United States continues to block Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, which had been the country's top supplier. The U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January dealt a significant blow to Cuba, with President Donald Trump subsequently backing acting President Delcy Rodriguez and halting oil deliveries to the island.

On Friday, Cuba witnessed violent demonstrations amid ongoing power cuts and high food prices, with protesters ransacking a building belonging to the ruling Communist Party. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba has not received oil shipments in three months and is relying on solar power, natural gas, and thermoelectric plants.

Díaz-Canel also revealed that Cuba has held talks with the U.S. regarding its energy and economic crisis. Just days after these talks began, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga told NBC News on Monday that Cuba plans to allow Cubans living abroad, including those in the United States, to invest and own businesses in the country.

Trump has previously suggested that regime change in Cuba could be next following the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. On Sunday, the U.S. president allegedly told journalists on Air Force One that Cuba "wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do."

Source: www.dw.com