No electricity, no gas, no sleep: Cubans on edge amid endless outages
Four months into US oil blockade, Cubans see island drained as state electric company fights to provide even a few hours of power a day
TL;DR
- Cuba is experiencing widespread rolling blackouts and fuel shortages, impacting electricity, water, and cooking fuel.
- A US oil blockade and intensified sanctions are draining the island's resources and crippling its economy.
- Hyper-inflation has destroyed the value of pensions, making basic necessities unaffordable for many.
- Protests, known as cacerolazos, are becoming commonplace, with some participants being arrested by police.
- US sanctions have targeted prominent Cuban officials, their families, and businesses, including major hotel operators and a Canadian nickel miner.
- Visa and Mastercard services have been suspended in Cuba, affecting businesses more than the average citizen.
- The Cuban government is preparing for a potential US attack, increasing military readiness.
- Negotiations between the US and Cuban governments are perceived as stalled, increasing fears of forceful intervention.
- The World Meteorological Organization predicts an extremely hot and dry summer, posing further risks to an island without electricity.