Cuba suffers from US blockade, 10 hours of daily load shedding

The blockade of fuel-carrying ships due to the unilateral US embargo has severely deteriorated the electricity situation in Cuba. On average, there are more than 10 hours of load shedding every day. The country has experienced a severe shortage of gasoline and kerosene.

On March 16, Cuba's national electricity company reported a grid failure, which left the entire island without electricity. A similar failure occurred on March 4. Lazaro Guerra Hernandez, director general of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, said that the cause of the grid failure was still unclear, but that priority was being given to critical infrastructure in the restoration work.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on state TV on March 13 that Cuba had not received any fuel assistance for at least three months. As a result, thousands of people, especially children, are waiting for necessary surgeries.

Public discontent and government calls

While the president called the public's complaints about long-term load shedding reasonable, he made it clear that no violence or vandalism would be tolerated.

On March 14, protests were held in the province of Ciego de Ávila to protest the electricity and food shortages. At one point, protesters threw stones at the headquarters of the Municipal Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and burned furniture. Five people were arrested in the incident.

US goals

According to a report in the New York Times, the administration of US President Donald Trump wants to remove Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel from his post.

The report said that their goal is to remove the current president and bring structural changes to the Cuban economy, so that opportunities for US companies can be created.

Trump said at a press conference that it would be an honor for him to occupy Cuba. However, according to the New York Times, Trump does not want to change the country's political system, but rather wants to subdue the current "hardline" administration.

Source: Tas.