WASHINGTON, February 11, 2026 — A near-total blackout plunged Cuba into darkness Tuesday, a consequence, according to observers, of escalating economic pressure from the United States, raising concerns about widespread hardship and prompting calls for intervention.
Cuba Faces Widespread Blackouts Amid Intensified U.S. Pressure
The island nation is grappling with a severe energy crisis exacerbated by restrictions on fuel imports.
- Cuba experienced a widespread power outage Tuesday, impacting nearly the entire island.
- The crisis is linked to a tightening of the U.S. embargo, including restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments.
- Spanish companies are now rerouting fuel supplies through Santo Domingo to continue service.
- Nearly 89% of the Cuban population lives in poverty, and 10% of children suffer from malnutrition, according to UNICEF data.
- Advocacy groups in the U.S., including Let Cuba Live, are planning protests to denounce the policy.
The situation, as highlighted by a commentator Wednesday, underscores a troubling pattern: the persistence of hardship even as some believe global society is improving. The presenter noted that the widespread outage occurred as a direct result of what he termed “the siege of Trump.”
The island has long been subject to a U.S. embargo, but the current situation has been aggravated by what’s been described as an “asphyxiation” from Washington since December. A key factor is the disruption of Venezuelan oil shipments, leaving Cuban airports without fuel for aircraft.
As a result, Spanish airlines have announced they will refuel in Santo Domingo, while other carriers may resort to asking passengers to disembark and physically push planes, a grim prospect for travelers hoping to reach Havana.
“Those who are truly suffering from this blockade are the Cuban people,” the commentator stated. “Citizens cannot heat their homes or travel, on top of the already precarious situation they were facing.”
The pre-existing hardships include shortages of food, water, and essential supplies, coupled with soaring inflation. UNICEF data indicates that almost 89% of the Cuban population is living in extreme poverty, and a staggering 10% of children are suffering from malnutrition.
Alarm bells are ringing even within the United States, with the platform Let Cuba Live—supported by figures like Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon—planning mass mobilizations to protest what they claim is Trump’s ultimate goal in Cuba: inflicting human suffering.
The commentator concluded that the potential downfall of Cuba has become a key obsession for Marco Rubio and Donald Trump, suggesting they would not hesitate to devastate the population to achieve their aims, a course of action he described as “unfair and cruel.” He asserted that Washington is “ensnaring” Cuba.
