Cuba's power grid has collapsed after the U.S. halted the flow of Venezuelan oil supply that fed the island’s generators earlier this year. With reserves exhausted, households in Havana and provincial towns receive only one to two hours of electricity daily, prompting candlelit games of dominoes and street‑level bonfires. Power outages have also crippled small manufacturers, halting production lines and aggravating unemployment.

U.S. embargoes have squeezed Cuba’s economy, but the fuel cut deepened a crisis that began when Caracas withdrew support after the Trump administration toppled its ally. Gas stations now stand empty, while residents resort to wood, charcoal and improvised outdoor kitchens, forcing a regression to energy practices. The shortage has also forced transport fleets to idle, curbing tourism revenues that once buoyed the service sector.

With imports stalled, the island’s limited solar installations cannot offset demand, and food‑price pressures mount as grocery shelves stay bare. Utilities face mounting debt, and foreign investors watch a market where electricity contracts are effectively null. The present state leaves Cuba dependent on ad‑hoc fuel sources and underscores the immediate need for a sustainable energy import solution.