On March 16, Cuba experienced a nationwide power grid failure, leaving nearly the entire population – approximately 10 million people – without electricity. According to Reuters, this is one of the largest energy disruptions to hit the island. The Cuban electricity grid operator UNE stated that the exact causes of the blackout are currently under investigation.

Cuba's aging power generation and transmission infrastructure has been problematic for years, but the situation has sharply deteriorated due to an oil blockade imposed by the US regime. After the US detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally, in January, oil deliveries to the island effectively halted. Reuters reports that Cuban ports have received only two small fuel tankers this year – one from Mexico and another from Jamaica.

Amid the power outages and food shortages, protests have erupted in Cuba. On March 14, demonstrators set fire to the building of the ruling Communist Party committee in the city of Morón. Reuters notes that mass protest demonstrations and unrest are extremely rare occurrences in Cuba, indicating rising internal pressure within the country.

Last week, the Cuban government announced the start of negotiations with the US to address the crisis. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed hope that the talks would proceed "based on principles of equality, respect, and sovereignty." However, US President Donald Trump has recently escalated his rhetoric, stating that "taking over Cuba" would be an "honor" and that he can do "whatever I want" with it.

The New York Times reports that the primary objective of the US administration is to remove Díaz-Canel from power. According to the newspaper's sources, the US has explicitly explained to Cuban representatives that the president must go, leaving subsequent steps to the discretion of Cubans. This situation poses a serious threat to Cuba's sovereignty and its right to self-determination.

Source: www.gazeta.uz