US policy on Cuba: Trump signals action after latest nationwide blackout

The Trump administration has signalled a sharper US policy on Cuba after the island’s third nationwide blackout in four months. President Donald Trump said Cuba is in “very bad shape” and suggested action soon. US officials are also discussing President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s future while negotiations with Havana continue under sanctions.

The Trump administration signalled on Tuesday that Cuba was becoming a key focus for US foreign policy. The move came after Cuba faced a third nationwide blackout in four months. President Donald Trump said, "Cuba right now is in very bad shape.\" Trump also said, \"And well be doing something with Cuba very soon.\"

US talks with Havana continued, but Washington was also seeking political change, a US official said. A source familiar with the discussions also said the administration wanted President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step aside. The administration did not say who it preferred to lead next. Some Cubans also questioned Diaz-Canel’s real authority compared with Raul Castro and family.

US sanctions and Cuba blackout pressure

Electricity started returning on Tuesday afternoon to hospitals and some homes, but officials warned the grid could fail again. Cuba’s government linked the crisis to a US energy blockade. The blame followed Trump’s January warning of tariffs. The warning targeted countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba.

Cuba produced about 40% of its petroleum and generated some power at home. Still, output did not meet demand as the electric network kept weakening. Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines said on X that power was back in Pinar del Rio. The ministry also reported restoration in Holguin. It added that microsystems began operating in several territories.

Marco Rubio position on Cuba economy and government

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba’s model could not repair the damage. Rubio said the island had \"an economy that doesnt work in a political and governmental system. They cant fix it.\" A Cuban official said on Monday that Cuba was open to trade with US firms. Similar assurances were made in the past.

Rubio said deeper shifts were needed before any easing of pressure. Rubio said, \"So they have to change dramatically.\" Rubio added, \"What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. Its not going to fix it.\" The Trump administration also called for Cuba to free political prisoners. It also wanted political and economic liberalisation tied to lifting sanctions.

Havana power outage impact on residents

State media said that by late Monday, electricity returned to 5% of Havana residents. The report said this covered about 42,000 customers. Many residents worried about food going bad and moving safely at home. Dalba Obiedo, 48, said, \"The power outages are driving me crazy.\" Obiedo added, \"Last night I fell down a 27-step staircase. Now I have to have surgery on my jaw. I fell because the lights went out.\"

Some residents said repeated outages were pushing people to leave. Havana resident Tomas David Velazquez Felipe, 61, said the situation was breaking families. Velazquez Felipe said, \"What little we have to eat spoils.\" Velazquez Felipe added, \"Our people are too old to keep suffering.\" Trump also floated the idea of a friendly takeover of Cuba during the wider pressure campaign.

With inputs from PTI