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Cuba’s electricity network has failed once more due to an ongoing energy emergency exacerbated by a US oil embargo.

Millions of Cubans were sent back into darkness once moreon Saturday as the island’s main power system failed for the second time in a week and the third instance this month.

A countrywide electricity blackout added to the challenges faced by Cuba’s communist government, which deals with deteriorating infrastructure and aUS-imposed oil blockade.

“At 18:32 (2232 UTC), the entire national power grid was cut off. We will keep updating you,” said Union Electrica, the government-owned electricity company, in a social media post.

Cuba’s deepening energy crisis

Blackouts — spanning the entire country and specific areas — have increasingly occurrednorm in Cubain the past two years as a result of failures in the aging power generation infrastructure.

The failures are worsened by daily power cuts lasting as long as 20 hours in certain areas of the island, which does not have enough fuel to produce electricity.

Cuba generates only 40% of thefuelit must fuel its economic growth.

Cuba’s economic crisishas deteriorated since January 3 as US President Donald Trump has kept a de factooil blockadefollowing Washington’s removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — Cuba’s primary ally and main source of energy.

Trump threatens ‘friendly takeover’

Trump has not only cut off Venezuelan exports to Cuba but has also warned other countries with harsh tariffs if they supply oil to Havana.

Cuba has not received any oil imports since January 9, affecting the energy industry and the vital tourism sector, as airlines are compelled to reduce their flight operations.

Cuba attributes its economic problems — such as the failing power grid — to the US trade embargo, whereas the US claims these issues result from Cuba’s Soviet-style centrally planned economy.

The administration of Donald Trump in Washington calls for Cuba to free political detainees and pursue political and economic reforms in return for the removal of sanctions.

Trump has not concealed his wish for a change in the Cuban government, and has also suggested the idea of a “friendly takeover” of the island.

Edited by: Karl Sexton

Author: Dharvi Vaid (AFP, AP, Reuters)