Cuba experienced its second island‑wide power outage in less than a week, with the blackout beginning at 4:30pm local time on Friday, according to the state‑run Union Electrica de Cuba. The outage follows a similar incident on Monday and brings the total number of island‑wide outages this year to four, after two additional blackouts in March. The nation’s electricity grid, much of which dates to the 1960‑1980 period, has faced increased strain since January, when the United States restricted oil supplies to Cuba. The restriction stems from a January executive order that labeled Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” and threatened tariffs on countries providing fuel; since then, only one Russian oil tanker has reached Cuban ports. Cuba produces roughly 40% of its oil consumption, with the remainder imported. The government has accelerated a transition to renewable energy, receiving solar technology from China, but renewables accounted for about 18% of total energy use in 2022 and are targeted to reach nearly 25% by 2030. United Nations high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said that the fuel restrictions and tightened sanctions have contributed to a near doubling of infant mortality in recent months, citing reduced access to medical supplies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera in March that the blackouts are attributable to Cuban governmental mismanagement. The episode underscores ongoing challenges to Cuba’s energy security and the humanitarian impact of the prolonged trade embargo.