Cuba’s growing energy crisis is pushing daily life on the island to a breaking point, experts told ABC News, as nationwide blackouts, fuel shortages and food supply disruptions continue to worsen.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba warned this week that Cuba’s electrical grid is becoming “increasingly unstable,” with prolonged outages affecting water, refrigeration, transportation and communications across the country.
Fuel Shortages Trigger Widespread Blackouts
Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the country has run out of fuel reserves, leaving cities like Havana facing blackouts lasting more than 20 hours.
Experts say the crisis intensified after oil shipments from Venezuela sharply declined earlier this year. Cuba depends heavily on imported fuel and aging power plants, many of which are more than 40 years old.
Food and Healthcare Systems Under Pressure
The shortages are also disrupting food imports, agriculture and hospital operations. Experts warned that grocery shelves are increasingly empty and essential services are struggling to function.
Residents in some areas reportedly received only a few hours of electricity over multiple days.
Protests Erupt Across Cuba
The worsening conditions have sparked protests in Havana and other cities, with videos showing fires and demonstrations tied to public frustration over the outages.
Meanwhile, John Ratcliffe visited Cuba this week for talks with officials on security and economic stability, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
For more on the Cuban power crisis, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.