Cuba Reels Under Widespread Blackouts Amid US Oil Embargo

Cuba is grappling with a severe electricity crisis, with the island nation experiencing its second total blackout in less than a week. The latest outage, which left approximately 10 million inhabitants without power, has been attributed to a US oil blockade that's exacerbating fuel shortages in the country. The Cuban regime announced on Sunday (22) that power has been restored, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo.

A Crisis Unfolding

The country finds itself in an unprecedented crisis, with worsening blackouts plunging the entire island into near-total darkness on some days, as reported by Argentine newspaper Clarin. This crisis comes at a time when the country is under a US embargo on petroleum, a vital resource for the island's energy sector.

Amid this crisis, two expectant mothers shared their hopes and fears with BBC's Will Grant. The women's accounts underscore the human toll of the crisis, as the country's expectant mothers prepare to give birth in a nation plunged into darkness.

International Aid and Escalating Tensions

In response to the crisis, an aid flotilla has reached Cuba, according to Al Jazeera English. However, the US-imposed oil blockade continues to cause severe fuel shortages, worsening the power outages.

The crisis coincides with escalating tensions in the Middle East, where US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iranian power plants. Iran has responded with a warning of its own, stating that it will strike energy sites in the region if the US or Israel target Iran's power plants.

Trump has also issued an ultimatum to Iran, stating that it must enter the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or the US will target its electrical centers, reported Italian news agency ANSA.

The Diplomatic Dilemma

Against this backdrop, a diplomatic struggle is unfolding. According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Trump's advisors are attempting to renegotiate a deal, possibly indicating a return to negotiations.

However, these efforts are being complicated by Iran's threats to lay naval mines if its coasts or islands are attacked, as reported by French newspaper Le Monde. The Iranian defense council warned that all access ways and communication lines in the Persian Gulf and coastal zones [could be] mined.

Current Status

At the time of this report, electricity has been restored in Cuba, albeit with the threat of further blackouts looming. Meanwhile, the diplomatic standoff between the US and Iran continues, with each side issuing threats that could have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.