Cuba begins power restoration after total national grid collapse

The Cuban state electricity company, UNE, reported a total collapse of the national power grid on Monday, leaving approximately 10 million people without electricity. The blackout occurred amidst a period of frequent, prolonged power outages across the island. By Tuesday, authorities confirmed that power was being restored in the western and east-central regions of the country. Specific power plants, including Diez de Octubre and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, have been reconnected to the grid. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that the country has not received fuel shipments for three months, complicating efforts to maintain the aging infrastructure. While the government blames United States sanctions and oil delivery disruptions for the energy crisis, the situation has led to sporadic civil unrest. Cuba recently began talks with the United States in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis. Officials are currently investigating the precise causes of the systemic failure.