Since Donald Trump threatened to 'take' Cuba, the Caribbean island has been on edge. Escalating US sanctions and an oil blockade have crippled essential services, plunged the country into blackouts, and ground life for its 10 million people to a near halt.
Life on the Ground in Havana
Ruaridh Nicoll, reporting from Havana, describes a population struggling with chronic power cuts, fuel shortages, and a collapsing economy. The US embargo, tightened under Trump, has restricted Cuba's access to oil imports, leading to frequent blackouts that disrupt daily life, from refrigeration to transportation.
According to Nicoll, Cubans are enduring "no electricity, no gas, no sleep" as endless outages compound the crisis. The island's infrastructure, already strained, has been pushed to breaking point, with hospitals relying on generators and families forced to cook over open fires.
Threat of US Military Intervention
The threat of US military intervention looms large. Trump's rhetoric has revived memories of past US aggression, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the long-standing trade embargo. Many Cubans fear that further escalation could lead to a military strike, especially after the US charged Raúl Castro with drug trafficking and human rights abuses.
Nicoll notes that the charges against Castro have fueled outrage in Cuba, with many viewing them as a pretext for US intervention. The Cuban government has accused the US of waging an economic war designed to topple the regime.
Impact on Cuban Society
The crisis has deepened poverty and sparked protests. Cubans face severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, with long queues for basic goods. The blackouts have also disrupted education, with schools forced to close or operate on reduced hours.
Despite the hardships, Nicoll reports a resilient spirit among Cubans, who rely on community networks and informal markets to survive. However, the future remains uncertain, with many questioning whether the US will take further action.
