Cuba edges toward breakdown as power cuts and US meddling push society to brink
Cuba is facing a severe societal breakdown characterized by frequent power grid collapses and a six-month oil blockade imposed by the U.S. The government cites a lack of fuel and spare parts as the primary reasons for the failing infrastructure and growing public unrest.
Why it matters
The situation in Cuba illustrates the humanitarian impact of long-term economic sanctions and the fragility of state-run infrastructure under external pressure.
Tensions have increased in Cuba as the US blockade continues. Photo Tensions have increased in Cuba as the US blockade continues. Photo Cuba Cuba edges toward breakdown as power cuts and US meddling push society to brink As Cuba swelters under six-month oil blockade imposed by US, tempers are fraying and unrest is growing
Prefer the Guardian on Google W hen Cuba’s national grid collapses, as it did for the third time in 10 days on Tuesday, a collective groan spreads across its cities and people wonder, again, whether the island’s antiquated electricity system may soon become unrecoverable.
The 777-mile Caribbean island of 9.5 million people has been sweltering under a six-month-long oil blockade imposed by the US, part of a pressure campaign to bring down its communist government. But the parlous state of Cuba’s infrastructure goes far further back.
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