• Cuba suffers its second nationwide blackout in less than a week.
• Officials cite U.S.-imposed oil blockade as a primary cause of energy failures.
• Protests erupt across the island amidst worsening living conditions.
• The Cuban government blames its energy crisis on depleted oil supplies and U.S. sanctions.
• Recent blackouts have triggered significant social unrest, particularly in major cities.

Cuba experienced its second nationwide power outage in less than a week on Saturday, marking a significant crisis as the country's National Electric System completely collapsed. This incident follows a previous blackout that occurred on March 16, affecting nearly 11 million residents. The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines has initiated restoration protocols, but the outages have intensified frustrations among the populace, resulting in protests across the island, particularly in Havana and Moron, where demonstrations have turned violent, leading to arrests, according to CBS News and Reuters.

The collapse of the power grid is attributed to a combination of outdated infrastructure and severe fuel shortages, which are exacerbated by the U.S. oil blockade. The U.S. government's restrictions on oil supplies from Venezuela, historically Cuba's primary supplier, have left the island struggling to maintain power, with energy currently being sustained by solar, natural gas, and thermal sources, according to officials. The blockade has prompted President Miguel Díaz-Canel to implement austerity measures affecting vital services across the nation, as stated by Anadolu Agency and Reuters.

As the energy crisis deepens, protests have emerged fueled by increasing public discontent with living conditions, which deteriorate further during prolonged blackouts. U.S. policy under the Trump administration has been criticized by Cuban officials, who argue that such sanctions obstruct necessary imports and create a humanitarian crisis on the island. Díaz-Canel’s administration has stated that external aggressions will meet with "impregnable resistance", emphasizing their determination to restore stability amidst overwhelming challenges, according to CBS News and Anadolu Agency.