Cuba's power grid collapses again, leaving millions without electricity for at least 6th time this year

Key Points:

• Cuba experienced a nationwide power grid collapse on Friday, marking at least the sixth major blackout since January, leaving millions without electricity amid worsening economic conditions and a U.S. energy embargo.
• The outage was triggered by a failure in transmission lines in the western part of the country, compounded by unstable weather, affecting regions as far as Matanzas and disconnecting the eastern part of the island.
• Efforts to restore power included reactivating hospital systems and establishing small micro-islands for power distribution, with only 5% of Havana's users regaining electricity by dusk.
• The U.S. energy blockade, initiated under President Trump, restricts Cuba's fuel imports necessary for thermoelectric plants and maintenance parts, severely impacting the island's aging infrastructure and contributing to frequent blackouts.
• The ongoing power outages have disrupted daily life, public health, transportation, and communications, while U.S. officials have discussed various strategies, including diplomatic and military options, to pressure Cuba's government.