Archive · 5 Aug 2026
US Expands Intelligence Presence in Cuba Amid Blackout Crisis
The United States has sent more spies and intelligence workers to a Caribbean country called Cuba.
A news report says this could be a step before American soldiers are sent there.
The leader of Cuba, Mr. Miguel Diaz-Canel, is worried and angry about this.
He says the United States wants to take over his country.
He says America is using rules called a blockade to stop Cuba from getting things it needs.
Because Cuba cannot buy enough fuel, its power plants have stopped working.
This means the lights go out across the whole country, sometimes for more than a day.
Cuba had another big blackout on August 3.
Mr. Diaz-Canel says this is unfair and that the United Nations also believes the blockade is wrong.
The United States deployed additional intelligence personnel to Cuba and intensified intelligence activities there in recent months, according to a Politico report.
The report described the increased intelligence presence as a tactical move that could pave the way for a potential US military intervention.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel accused Washington of seeking to 'take over' Cuba and called for defending national sovereignty.
Cuba suffered another nationwide blackout on August 3, following a total grid disconnection on Sunday and a partial collapse on Saturday.
Cuba has struggled to import fuel and repair aging power plants due to US sanctions, with several nationwide blackouts since October 2024.
- Who
- The United States, which reportedly expanded its intelligence presence in Cuba, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who accused Washington of seeking to take over Cuba.
- What
- A reported increase in US intelligence personnel and activities in Cuba, accusations by Cuba's president over a US policy of 'maximum economic suffocation', and a nationwide power blackout.
- When
- Recent months, with the latest events being Diaz-Canel's July 26 speech and an August 3 nationwide blackout.
- Where
- Cuba, including Pinar del Rio province where President Diaz-Canel spoke on National Rebellion Day.
- Why
- The US intelligence buildup was described as a tactical move that could pave the way for potential military intervention, while Cuban authorities blame the US blockade and sanctions for the country's energy crisis.
Cuban government viewpoint
US and official accounts
US intelligence buildup in Cuba
Cuban government viewpoint
Cuban President Diaz-Canel says Washington is pursuing a policy aimed at taking over Cuba, and report sources described the increased intelligence presence as a step that could pave the way for a potential US military intervention.
US and official accounts
The report notes the US has conducted intelligence activities in Cuba for decades, as it does in other parts of the world, and a source linked the moves to an increase in the CIA's presence.
Cause of Cuba's power crisis
Cuban government viewpoint
President Diaz-Canel blames Washington's blockade, including an energy embargo and financial siege, for fuel shortages, failing power plants and blackouts lasting over a day, calling the blockade a weapon of war.
US and official accounts
The National Electric Union cited prevailing weather conditions that disrupted the grid during restoration of the power system; the article presents no direct US response to the blackouts.
- Report source
- Politico, citing unnamed sources
- Reported US action
- Additional intelligence personnel and resources sent to Cuba in recent months
- Cuban president
- Miguel Diaz-Canel
- US president
- Donald Trump
- Latest nationwide blackout
- August 3 at 17:05 local time (2105 GMT)
- Prior grid failures
- Total disconnection Sunday at 22:43 local time; partial collapse Saturday
- Cause cited by National Electric Union
- Prevailing weather conditions disrupted the grid during restoration
- Blackouts since
- October 2024