Anti-government protesters attacked a Communist Party office in northern Cuba early on Saturday, a state-run newspaper reported, in a rare outburst of public dissent triggered by worsening blackouts that have been exacerbated by a U.S. oil blockade. U.S. President Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba, piling pressure on the economy already struggling with shortages of food, fuel, electricity and medicine. Public protests, particularly violent ones, are exceedingly rare in Cuba. State media outlet Vanguardia de Cuba dismissed online reports that the person lying on the ground had been shot by police. Fuel shortages have vastly reduced public transportation, making it difficult, if not impossible, for teachers and students to get together for classes.

Source: The Telegraph March 14, 2026 21:27 UTC