Cuba in the dark again: Ten million residents left without electricity

(Patria) - Cuba's national power grid collapsed today, leaving around 10 million people without electricity, announced the state power system operator UNE.

The operator stated on social media that it is investigating the causes of the complete system failure.

This is the latest in a series of major power outages that have hit the island in recent months, often lasting for hours or even days.

The energy crisis has been further exacerbated by a shortage of fuel and outdated production infrastructure.

Cuban authorities claim that the key cause is the American oil blockade, which has cut off energy supplies and further weakened the already outdated power system.

The United States intensified pressure on Havana this year after seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, one of Cuba's main allies and a key oil supplier, in early January.

Washington then cut off Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba and threatened tariffs on countries that continued to sell oil to it.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated last week that the country has not received a single shipment of fuel for three months, further worsening the energy crisis.

Meanwhile, the government confirmed that it has begun talks with the United States in an attempt to alleviate the crisis.

Power outages have already caused social tensions. Rare violent protests broke out over the weekend, fueled by prolonged power outages and shortages of fuel and food.