Trending Now - US Leaders Call for Change in Cuba Amid Power Crisis

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel

Rosa María Payá, Cuban human rights activist

Lázaro Guerra, electricity director of the Ministry of Energy and Mines

Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, deputy prime minister of Cuba

Joseph Humire, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas security affairs

WHAT:

A nationwide power grid collapse left approximately 10 million people in Cuba without electricity.

Trump stated, “I believe I will have the honour of taking Cuba,” and “I can do anything I want.”

Rubio indicated that U.S. sanctions on Cuba are tied to political change on the island.

Protests erupted in Cuba, with demonstrators attempting to set fire to a Communist Party headquarters.

The Cuban government has been in discussions with Washington regarding economic changes.

The U.S. has imposed tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba.

WHERE:

Cuba

Havana, Cuba

Morón, Cuba

Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

The blackout occurred on March 16th, 2026.

Rubio made his comments on March 17th, 2026.

The power network has been partially collapsing since October 2024.

The protests linked to blackouts occurred on March 16th, 2026.

WHY:

The power crisis in Cuba is attributed to systemic collapse, economic mismanagement, and reliance on foreign subsidies.

U.S. officials argue that the humanitarian situation is a result of the Cuban regime's incompetence and not U.S. sanctions.

HOW:

Emergency teams are working to restore power to the affected areas in Cuba.

The U.S. is applying pressure through sanctions and tariffs to influence political change in Cuba.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:19 UTC)

A nationwide power grid collapse in Cuba left around 10 million people without electricity on March 16, prompting protests where demonstrators attempted to set fire to a Communist Party headquarters. In response to the crisis, President Trump expressed confidence in his ability to influence Cuba, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that U.S. sanctions are linked to the need for political change on the island. As emergency teams work to restore power, U.S. officials continue to argue that the humanitarian situation stems from the Cuban regime's mismanagement rather than the sanctions imposed by Washington.