Trump and Rubio Press for Leadership Change as Cuba Endures Repeated Blackouts
A March 16 grid collapse plunged 10 million people into darkness; partial restoration followed on March 17 amid U.S. pressure and ongoing talks between Washington and Havana.
PBS NewsHourNews Wrap: Cuba slowly restoring power as Rubio calls for new leadership
USA TODAYWhat is happening in Cuba? Economic struggles, US tensions explained
FOX NewsRubio says Cuba needs ‘new people in charge’ as blackouts, unrest grip island
Boston GlobeRubio calls for new Cuban leaders as latest blackout underscores deepening economic crisis
Overview
President Donald Trump said "Cuba right now is in very bad shape" and promised "we'll be doing something with Cuba very soon" following the island's third nationwide blackout in four months.
A March 16 grid collapse plunged 10 million people into darkness, and reports said much of the electrical system was restored on March 17.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the island "has an economy that doesn't work" and called for "new people in charge," while a U.S. official and a source with knowledge said the administration is seeking Miguel Díaz-Canel's departure.
State media reported that late Monday power had been restored to 5% of Havana residents, about 42,000 customers, and the island has roughly 11 million residents overall.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed there have been talks with Washington aimed at resolving bilateral differences, but neither side provided details and officials warned the crumbling grid could fail again.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Cuba crisis as both internal failure and a product of U.S. pressure, using evaluative language ('energy blockade,' 'paralyzed,' 'crippling'), prioritizing U.S. officials and Trump/Rubio quotes, and highlighting anonymous U.S. sources. Cuban perspectives are limited to brief statements, shaping a narrative that emphasizes U.S. policy impact.
FAQ
The blackout was caused by a technical failure at the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant, leading to a cascading collapse of the national grid.
Partial restoration occurred on March 17, with state media reporting power restored to 5% of Havana residents (about 42,000 customers), though the grid could fail again.
A U.S.-imposed oil blockade has cut off fuel shipments, including from Venezuela, leaving Cuba without oil imports for three months and crippling its antiquated grid.
Trump said Cuba is 'in very bad shape' and promised action soon; Rubio called the economy non-functional and urged new leadership, with the U.S. seeking Díaz-Canel's departure.[0]
This is the third nationwide blackout in four months, part of ongoing outages since 2024 due to plant failures, fuel shortages, and infrastructure issues.
