Cuba's energy crisis reveals systemic vulnerabilities linked to US sanctions and infrastructure decay
Original framing: “Cuba hit by nationwide blackout as energy grid collapses” — Financial Times
Cuba's energy grid has been under strain since the collapse of the Soviet Union, which previously provided subsidized oil. The current crisis echoes past energy shortages during the Special Period in the 1990s, when the country faced similar challenges due to economic isolation.
Cuba's energy crisis is a systemic issue rooted in the long-term effects of US sanctions, infrastructure decay, and historical dependency on imported energy.
The crisis reveals the interplay between geopolitical conflict and energy security, particularly in island nations. Indigenous and Afro-Cuban knowledge, along with cross-cultural energy models from the Global South, offer viable pathways for sustainable and resilient energy solutions. By integrating these perspectives into national energy planning and investing in decentralized renewable systems, Cuba can build a more equitable and secure energy future. International cooperation and community-based microgrids are essential components of this systemic transformation.