In Cuba, the electrical grid situation is "tense," and the president accuses Washington.

"This dramatic escalation has only one cause: the genocidal energy blockade to which the United States is subjecting our country, threatening any country that wants to supply us with fuel with irrational tariffs," the head of state denounced on the social network X.

According to official figures compiled by AFP, 65% of Cuban territory experienced simultaneous power cuts on Tuesday.

The island of 9,6 million inhabitants has been facing a deep energy crisis since mid-2024, aggravated by an oil blockade imposed by Washington since the beginning of the year.

Since the end of January, only one Russian oil tanker carrying 100.000 tonnes of crude oil has been allowed to dock in Cuba.

This situation has caused an almost total paralysis of the Cuban economy.

For the Cuban president, the "energy persecution" against Cuba is part of a "perverse plan" by Washington which "has as its main objective the suffering of an entire people in order to take them hostage and turn them against the government".

But the country remains "standing" and is not "bankrupt," he added, referring to an expression used by Donald Trump in his statements against the communist island.

The Cuban head of state accuses Washington of having imposed an energy blockade due to the failure of the American sanctions policies in force until now.

"Neither the blockade imposed more than six decades ago, nor the 243 tightening measures imposed by the previous Trump administration, could destroy the Revolution," he said.

Havana experiences power outages exceeding 19 hours a day, while in several provinces, blackouts last for entire days. As a result, most Cubans spend more time without electricity than with it.

The situation marks a deterioration after a slight improvement recorded in April, following the arrival of the Russian oil tanker which had temporarily eased electricity production.

According to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, "Cuba needs eight ships per month for the economy and energy production, for all fuels: gasoline, diesel, liquefied gas".

Electricity production on the island depends largely on seven aging thermal power plants, some of which have been in operation for over 40 years and suffer frequent breakdowns or have to be shut down for maintenance.

The country produces some 40.000 barrels of heavy crude oil per day, mainly for use in these thermal power plants.

In addition, there is a network of backup generators, powered by imported diesel.

Since the end of 2024, the island has suffered seven widespread power outages, including two in March of this year alone.

To reduce its dependence on oil and cope with the crisis, the Cuban government is encouraging the development of renewable energies, particularly solar, with the support of China.

Since 2025, 56 photovoltaic parks have been installed in Cuba, representing nearly 10% of the country's electricity production - according to the latest available figures - compared to 3% at the end of 2024.

The authorities are aiming for 15% of electricity production to be provided by solar energy by the end of the year.