Cuba’s electricity system has suffered another major collapse, marking the third nationwide blackout in just 10 days, underscoring the island’s deepening energy crisis amid US sanctions and long-standing infrastructural challenges. The Caribbean nation, home to approximately 9.5 million people, is grappling with the effects of an extended oil blockade imposed by the United States, contributing to widespread power outages and social unrest.

The most recent blackout occurred last Tuesday, leaving much of Cuba without electricity and prompting renewed concerns about the stability of its aging power infrastructure. The country’s electricity supply heavily relies on large, outdated power plants that experts describe as deteriorating and insufficient to meet current demands. Jorge Piñon, a senior energy researcher at the University of Texas, highlighted the fragility of the system, noting that the primary power facilities are “old, broken and tired.”

Temperatures in Cuba have climbed into the mid-30s Celsius with humidity levels near 80%, intensifying the daily hardships faced by residents. Frequent blackouts have given rise to public demonstrations through cacerolazos—the rhythmic banging of pots and pans—which serve as a collective expression of frustration over persistent power failures and their impact on basic necessities such as water supply and communications.

Residents report that intermittent electricity provides limited relief, often insufficient to power essential services like water pumps or charging mobile phones. “People want the government to act right now,” one resident in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood said amidst the noise of protest.

The Cuban government attributes the worsening crisis largely to a shortage of fuel, a situation exacerbated by US sanctions and restrictions that have targeted critical industries and foreign firms operating on the island. Vicente de la O Levy, Cuba’s minister of energy, stated that the country faces a “total absence of fuel,” limiting options for restoring and maintaining the grid.

The United States has intensified its campaign to pressure the Cuban government, which includes sanctions aimed at various sectors of the economy and efforts to disrupt trade and investment. Reports indicate that shipments of essential goods to Cuba remain stalled in international ports, leaving businesses unable to deliver necessary supplies. Additionally, a Florida court recently charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with murder related to incidents from the 1990s, signaling a continuation of the US government’s hardline stance.

Domestically, Cuba is experiencing a rise in social instability, with increasing incidences of crime and a diminished law enforcement presence. The government’s efforts to signal economic openness through reforms and measures to expand the private sector have been met with skepticism by US officials, who describe these steps as insufficient.

Internal divisions within Cuba’s leadership have also surfaced. Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, recently attracted public criticism after appearing in a US interview adorned with luxury items and expressing readiness to assume leadership if called upon—remarks that drew rebuke given his lack of official government position.

Tensions between the United States and Cuba continue to escalate. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently linked Cuba with Iran, referencing unconfirmed reports that Cuba has acquired drones from Tehran, a claim that the White House has vowed to counter.

Despite repeated restorations of power, Cuban citizens remain wary of the grid’s stability. When electricity service briefly resumed early last Wednesday, celebrations quickly gave way to resignation, as many understood the reprieve was temporary amid the ongoing crisis.