Cuban provincial capital, cultural hub on the Bay of Matanzas
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
AP, Independent and Al Jazeera report Cuba’s power grid has failed repeatedly, leaving major towns in darkness as the United States’ oil blockade compounds shortages. Outages disrupt transport, water, hospitals and daily life; Havana sees partial restorations while western Cuba remains offline. Authorities warn of continuing instability.