**Cuba Plunges into Darkness Following Power Plant Failure**

HAVANA – A massive power outage on Friday left the entire island of Cuba without electricity, impacting its 10 million residents. The blackout was triggered when one of the country’s primary power plants, already part of a strained energy system, ceased operations, confirmed by Cuba's energy ministry.

In a bid to stave off the crisis earlier in the day, the Cuban government had taken measures such as closing schools and sending most state workers home to conserve energy. Despite these efforts, by 11 a.m., the critical power plant failed, causing a widespread grid disruption.

For months, Cubans have been enduring rolling blackouts, with some areas outside Havana facing outages lasting up to 12 hours. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attributed the ongoing blackouts to aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increased demand.

Cuba’s electricity crisis is exacerbated by a significant drop in oil supplies from its ally, Venezuela, which had been the island's main oil importer. Deliveries from other nations, including Russia and Mexico, have also dwindled, further straining the island's fuel supply.

The abrupt loss of power stirred anxiety among the population. In Havana, residents expressed their concerns, with one individual describing the situation as the lowest point the country had reached. Another resident in Old Havana voiced fears that the crisis could worsen, stating, "It really worries me that we may not yet be at the bottom of this electricity crisis."

The Cuban government has consistently attributed many of the country’s economic struggles to the longstanding U.S. embargo. Under Donald Trump's presidency, sanctions were tightened, and the pandemic dealt a severe blow to Cuba’s tourism sector, a vital part of the state-run economy. The economic situation has already led to shortages in essential items like food, medicine, and fuel, making daily life increasingly hard for the average Cuban.