Cuba reports island-wide blackout as country struggles with energy crisis

Cuba experienced a complete island-wide blackout as the nation grapples with a deepening energy crisis. President Miguel Díaz-Canel revealed Friday that the country has not received oil shipments in more than three months, forcing it to rely on solar power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants to meet energy demands. The blackout underscores Cuba's severe energy infrastructure problems and its dependence on fuel imports, which have been disrupted amid ongoing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Cuba's electrical grid has suffered frequent outages in recent years due to aging power plants, fuel shortages, and lack of investment in infrastructure maintenance. The complete blackout affects the entire population of approximately 11 million people, potentially disrupting hospitals, water systems, and essential services across the island.