National Grid Crisis: Cuba plunged into another nationwide blackout Sunday after the state utility UNE reported a “total disconnection” of the national electricity system, leaving about 10 million people—including Havana—in the dark; it follows a blackout in the west just 24 hours earlier and comes amid fuel shortages and an aging grid. Daily Life Under Strain: Residents report water disruptions and heat stress as electricity vanishes, with frustration spilling into pot-banging and trash fires while authorities say emergency protocols are underway. Fuel Blockade Pressure: Multiple reports tie the repeated collapses to the U.S. oil blockade and the loss of key fuel supply routes, leaving power plants unable to run reliably. Policy Response: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has pointed to gradual reforms, including limited openings for fuel imports and private participation in sectors like tourism, as the country tries to stabilize. U.S. Visa Moves: Separately, the U.S. made its refundable visa bond program permanent for travelers from 50 countries, including Cuba, with bonds up to $20,000 for certain visa categories. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Marco Rubio renewed claims that Cuba runs influence operations inside the U.S., calling Havana an “espionage superpower.”