Cuba faces an energy crisis after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to the Caribbean nation, with Cuba's critical social services including healthcare and special education feeling the impact.
Authorities have warned airlines of a fuel shortage amid strict oil rationing, while residents are also struggling with paralyzed public transport and limited access to services.
Long queues were seen at gas stations due to fuel shortages, with fewer buses running and longer power cuts affecting homes, hospitals and other state institutions.
At Havana's Oncological Hospital, the blackouts affect patient care and potentially threatens lives.
"Our professionals only want to offer health quality, medical protocols, technical procedures, research, and drug production. But these things need energy, which comes from oil. So, this is a measure aimed to affect the Cuban people by limiting the performance of our health workers," said Carlos Martinex, head of the Cancer Control Division of Cuba's Ministry of Public Health.
Local special education authorities said the U.S. oil embargo is making student transportation and school logistics much harder, and it's limiting their ability to use electrical equipment for training and therapy.
"These measures adopted by the Donald Trump administration and the executive order, in particular, worsens the current situation of the Cuban people in an inhumane manner, I would say, and with a significant impact on our special education system," said Beatriz Roque, director of special education at the Cuban Ministry of Education.
In an effort to cushion the U.S. action, Cuban authorities have initiated a rationing program for fuels and electricity, the expansion of renewable energy systems.
Cubans struggle with energy shortages after US oil embargo
China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala promo recently lit up a giant screen in downtown Skopje, marking the gala's first-ever appearance in North Macedonia and drawing crowds of curious locals and overseas Chinese.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people, and the gala's live broadcast on the eve of the festival has become a cherished part of the celebrations in hundreds of millions of homes.
On February 6, the promo captivated audiences in Skopje's city center, where its vibrant colors and festive music captured the spirit of the holiday and drew passersby to stop and watch.
"The promotion and the gala seems like a really interesting event, which I would love to attend one day, hopefully in the future, which I believe showcases the most beautiful parts of Chinese culture," said a local student named Blindit Aranishi.
At the Chinese Embassy's Spring Festival reception in North Macedonia that same day, guests were treated to a screening of the gala's promotional video along with highlights from the "Travel China Through Film" series.
"The promotion and the gala seems like a really interesting event, which I would love to attend one day, hopefully in the future, which I believe showcases the most beautiful parts of Chinese culture," said Jiang Xiaoyan, Chinese ambassador to North Macedonia.
"It's really breathtaking. The talents that we see from Chinese actors and singers and painters are remarkable. So of course, it will bring lots of joy to people watching the gala and also I am very happy that this joy was shared with the people of North Macedonia," said Rita Columbia, United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia.
The Spring Festival falls on Feb 17 this year, marking the start of the Chinese New Year. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.
2026 Spring Festival Gala promo debuts in North Macedonia
