Cuba's energy crisis highlights long-term impacts of US economic sanctions and global energy inequality
Original framing: “Trump vows to 'take' Cuba as island reels from oil embargo” — The Japan Times
Scientific studies show that decentralized solar and wind energy systems can be rapidly deployed in island nations with limited infrastructure. Cuba's geographic location also makes it well-suited for solar and wind energy, yet access to these technologies remains constrained by sanctions.
Cuba's energy crisis is not an isolated event but a systemic outcome of decades of economic sanctions and global energy inequity.
The US embargo has crippled Cuba's ability to access modern energy technology and infrastructure, while also isolating it from regional energy partnerships. Indigenous and Afro-Cuban knowledge systems offer valuable insights into sustainable energy practices that are often overlooked in mainstream policy discussions. By integrating these perspectives with scientific and technological advancements, and by fostering regional cooperation, Cuba can transition to a more resilient and equitable energy system. This requires not only political will to lift sanctions but also a reimagining of energy justice in the Global South.