Cuba's power grid collapses, causing major blackouts in the east
Cuba's national energy grid has suffered a major failure, cutting power to the island's eastern provinces.
Updated on: May 14, 2026 / 5:20 PM EDT / CBS/AP
The failure came as a U.S. delegation visited Cuba on Thursday and met with Cuban government officials.
The State Department said Thursday it has offered "$100 million in direct humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people that would be distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church and other reliable independent humanitarian organizations."
"The decision rests with the Cuban regime to accept our offer of assistance or deny critical life-saving aid and ultimately be accountable to the Cuban people for standing in the way of critical assistance," the State Department added.
The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. on Thursday confirmed the U.S. formally offered $100 million in aid, but said it "remains unclear whether this aid will be in the form of cash or in-kind assistance, and whether it will be directed toward the people's most urgent needs at this time, such as fuel, food, and medicine."