How severe is the U.S. blockade? Cuba has experienced its second nationwide blackout this week.
On July 10, Cuba’s national power grid collapsed again—this time marking the second large-scale blackout this week and the fourth this year. Energy Minister Levis stated softly on social media: "We are doing everything possible to repair the damage… Life was already difficult, and now the situation has become even more complex."
Havana resident Rico spoke more directly than officials: carrying a flashlight has become second nature. "It's the blockade that's causing us endless suffering, tearing us apart. That's exactly what the blockade brings—ruin and hardship."
Neither side pretends anymore about the root cause.
The United States has imposed a blockade on Cuba for over sixty years since 1962. In January this year, Trump escalated it with another round of oil sanctions; then on May 1st, he signed an executive order expanding the scope of sanctions—once again citing the same excuse: "threats to U.S. national security." The method is clear: direct threats, unilateral coercion, intimidation of oil tankers, preventing Cuba from obtaining fuel.
On July 7, Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez made it explicit at the UN General Assembly: the U.S. is waging a "multi-dimensional non-traditional war" against Cuba, which has grown increasingly brutal over the past seven months, aiming to trigger a humanitarian crisis and destabilize the government.
Blackouts, water shortages, medicine shortages, food scarcity, soaring prices—a coordinated series of blows.
The U.S. itself admitted its policy goal toward Cuba is "regime change," releasing "political prisoners." But instead of sending troops, they cut off oil—cut the oil supply, and power plants stop running, hospitals rely on backup generators, while maternity wards and cold-chain medicines suffer alongside.
When Rodríguez said "collective punishment," he hit the nail on the head: although the sanctions list targets governments and officials, the burden ultimately falls on ordinary families—the milk in their refrigerators, electricity in ICUs, temperature-controlled incubators in delivery rooms.
Cuba’s two complete blackouts this week indicate it's not just one generator failing—it's systemic: insufficient fuel, aging infrastructure, and no one daring to sell spare parts.
After the U.S. cut off the oil supply, power outages have shifted from being "accidents" to becoming the "norm." The next nationwide blackout may come sooner than next week.
This also clearly shows that the U.S. has long abandoned any moral high ground. Once dressed as pirates in suits, they’ve now dropped all pretense—directly biting you.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870413440131144/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.