Cuba's Power Grid Fails, But an Opportunity Arises || Peter Zeihan
Oct 29, 2024
auto_awesome
Cuba faces an energy crisis as its power grid collapses, largely due to outdated infrastructure and dwindling foreign support. The recent failures are exacerbated by Hurricane Oscar, highlighting a long-standing dependence on Soviet and Venezuelan fuel. Yet, amid these challenges, a unique opportunity for improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba could spark change. Exploring these political dynamics unveils potential pathways for collaboration and modernization that could reshape the island's future.
Cuba's energy crisis stems from historical reliance on foreign fuel sources and lack of modernization, not merely external sanctions or socialism.
The current crisis offers a rare opportunity for U.S.-Cuba negotiations, enabling collaboration that could address labor shortages and provide essential support.
Deep dives
Cuba's Energy Crisis
Cuba is facing a significant energy crisis that has been exacerbated by historical factors and recent natural disasters. The country's power grid, already in disrepair, was unable to recover from a hurricane due to its outdated infrastructure and lack of maintenance over the past decades. Historically, Cuba relied heavily on support from the Soviet Union and, more recently, Venezuela, to sustain its energy needs, but this support has dwindled to alarming levels. As a result, the nation finds itself struggling to maintain basic functions, which highlights the deep-rooted systemic failures within its power generation and distribution systems.
Potential for Political Change
The current crisis in Cuba presents a unique opportunity for potential political negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba, unlike any seen since the 1990s. Both nations could benefit from finding common ground; Cuba is in desperate need of assistance, while the U.S. faces workforce shortages that could be alleviated through collaboration. This situation prompts the possibility of reaching across the Strait of Florida to establish beneficial agreements, where Cuba could offer lower labor costs in exchange for critical support. The outcome hinges on political will, as leaders on both sides must navigate their respective interests to seize this moment.
1.
Cuba's Energy Crisis and the Potential for U.S.-Cuba Relations
This video was originally released on Patreon 1 week ago. If you want to see the videos as soon as they come out, join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihan
And if you needed another reason, if you join me on Patreon in the month of October, your subscription fees for the rest of the year will be donated to MedShare: https://bit.ly/medsharepatreon
Cuba's power grid is collapsing. No, it's not because of US sanctions or socialism. This ongoing crisis can be blamed on Cuba's lack of investment into modernizing and its reliance on Soviet and Venezuelan fuel.