Cuba is grappling with worsening shortages, rolling power cuts and mounting public unrest after U.S. actions severed the island’s access to Venezuelan oil, reporters say.
Fuel is in short supply across Havana: buses and other public transport are running only intermittently, many basic services have been curtailed, and entire neighborhoods are experiencing blackouts. A nationwide outage that began yesterday plunged large areas into darkness and intensified strains in a country already familiar with austerity.
Hundreds have taken to the streets, with demonstrations reported in Havana and in Morón, where clashes turned violent last Friday. Protesters have marched to press for immediate relief and an end to the shortages; many residents interviewed describe the current situation as among the worst they have seen.
At the same time, President Trump has escalated his rhetoric toward Cuba, saying he would consider “taking over” the country and that “we’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.” The comments have heightened fear and uncertainty on the island, where people are primarily worried about securing essentials like fuel, electricity and public services.
Reporters on the ground describe long lines for limited fuel supplies, disrupted transportation and protests spreading to multiple cities. Authorities have not provided a clear timeline for recovery, and local residents are calling for immediate assistance and transparency about next steps.
Juan Palop, CBS News, Havana