Trump threatens to launch invasion in another country as power grid collapses | World | News

Donald Trump dramatically escalated tensions with Cuba on Monday by declaring that he expected to have the “honor” of “taking” the island nation, whose national power grid completely collapsed, plunging 11 million people into darkness amid a US-led oil blockade. Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday: “I believe I will have the honor of taking Cuba. I think I can do whatever I want with it, whether I free it or take it, you want to know the truth. They are a very weakened nation right now.”

The provocative remarks, made while Vice President J.D. Vance stood nearby, follow weeks of intensifying pressure from the Trump administration, including tariff threats and demands for regime change against countries that supply oil to Cuba. Mr Trump had previously attempted a “friendly takeover” and confirmed talks were ongoing with Havana aimed at removing President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power.

The comments came just hours after Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines announced a “complete shutdown” of the electrical system, with no previous failures of operating units. “Teams are working to gradually restart thermoelectric power plants, but the fragile infrastructure risks further failures,” electricity manager Lázaro Guerra told state media.

This is the third major nationwide power outage in four months; It exacerbates daily disruptions that cause food to spoil, medical procedures to be postponed, and families to improvise by candlelight. Yuneici Cecilia Riviaux, who lives in Havana, prepared mattresses on the floor for her children. Ms Riviaux said: “We have no choice. I don’t have a rechargeable fan or generator.”

Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, 61, of Havana, added: “How little we have to spoil. Our people are too old to continue suffering.” Many of those who can afford it are considering emigration.

On Monday night, state media reported that electricity had been restored to only 5% of Havana’s residents (about 42,000 customers) and a few hospitals, with communications infrastructure then prioritized. Officials warned that repaired circuits could fail again.

Experts attribute the crisis to decades of underinvestment in an aging grid, coupled with three months of no oil imports. Cuba produces only 40% of its oil needs domestically and relies on decaying thermoelectric plants that burn corrosive heavy oil. American University professor William LeoGrande said: “Technicians are wizards to keep the system running, but the system is well past its normal useful life.”

The US oil embargo, tightened after Mr Trump’s actions against Venezuela in January (including the arrest of Nicolas Maduro), has halted critical shipments. Mr. Trump blamed the government for Cuba’s troubles while demanding the release and liberalization of political prisoners.

Prof LeoGrande warned: “Without rapid renewable expansion or oil aid, Cuba will face continued misery, complete economic collapse, social chaos and mass migration.”

In response, Cuban deputy prime minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga expressed openness to U.S. business and new measures allowing diaspora Cubans to have jobs. These are steps that are seen as desperate aid in the midst of the embargo.

As power outages continue and food rots across the island, Mr. Trump’s open threat of intervention has turned Cuba’s energy disaster into a flashpoint for potential U.S. action and raised fears of escalating military tensions in the Caribbean.