Cuba is enduring its most severe energy crisis in decades, as rolling blackouts and acute fuel shortages have brought the country to the brink of paralysis. Numerous power plants have shut down due to a lack of oil, while gas stations have closed for want of supply, severely impacting citizens' lives and the economy.
According to local media, many areas in the capital Havana and other provinces have experienced blackouts lasting 8 to 12 hours per day. Hospitals are running on backup generators, while water supply systems and public transport face major disruptions. Many residents are forced to rely on oil lamps, candles, or battery-powered devices to maintain basic functions.
The Cuban government says the crisis stems from a combination of factors: U.S. sanctions, a drop in oil supplies from traditional allies such as Venezuela and Russia, and an outdated energy infrastructure that needs repairs. Some experts say this crisis is the biggest challenge for the Cuban government since the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Residents express deep concern about the long-term impact. A Havana resident said: 'We don’t know when electricity and gasoline will come back—life has become incredibly hard.' Meanwhile, small businesses and household enterprises are forced to close because they cannot maintain production.
The Cuban government is seeking to address the energy shortfall through emergency fuel imports and electricity-saving measures. However, analysts say that without policy change or outside support, the situation is unlikely to improve in the short term. The current energy crisis not only threatens economic stability but also severely erodes the quality of life for Cubans.
