A Vatican official prayed for the Cuban people amid a US energy blockade imposed by Donald Trump, urging that humanitarian aid not be obstructed.
Cuba's national energy grid failed, causing widespread power outages in eastern provinces and ongoing blackouts in Havana, amid a prolonged economic crisis exacerbated by a U.S. energy blockade and reliance on limited Russian oil supplies.
Cuba's solar power generation has surged from 6% to over 20% within 12 months through February, driven by Chinese-financed solar panels, according to Microgrid Media. The report concludes that by rendering the oil blockade ineffective through alternative energy, Cuba neutralises America's primary weapon. By 2028, all 92 Chinese-financed solar parks could provide 2,000 megawatts—matching Cuba's fossil fuel capacity for its 10 million people. The global energy crisis, marked by Middle East oil and gas supply disruptions, is accelerating worldwide adoption of renewables, with China leading in solar, EVs and clean energy infrastructure.
Cuba confirmed it recently met with US officials on the island—the first such diplomatic talks since 2016—as tensions remain high over the US energy blockade. Cuban officials said the US delegation included assistant secretaries of state, and that discussions focused on lifting the embargo, which Cuba calls economic coercion. The meetings occurred amid Trump's threats to tariff countries supplying oil to Cuba.
