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Cuba's Electrical Grid Collapses Under Pressure From The Administration's Oil Blockade

Cuba is currently experiencing a total power failure after its electrical grid collapsed, marking the sixth nationwide blackout of 2026. The crisis is exacerbated by a fuel blockade imposed by the administration, which significantly strained the island's aging energy infrastructure. Since the administration effectively cut Cuba off from its primary oil source in January, the country has faced recurring outages that last up to 20 hours a day. Residents are struggling with intense heat and limited access to air conditioning, forcing many to sleep outside near the water to escape the sweltering temperatures. The healthcare system is also suffering, with doctors reporting a-sharp decline in survival rates for newborns and a backlog of over 100,000 patients waiting for elective surgeries. In response to the pressure, the Cuban government has begun making incremental economic reforms, including authorizing the first foreign-backed fuel import venture and allowing nearly 200 businesses to enter wholesale fuel distribution. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruzden noted that while these changes are gradual, they represent the beginning of a difficult stage of economic adjustment.

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