HAVANA (AP) — Cubans on Monday were recovering from the sixth islandwide blackout this year, as the nation remains in free-fall after the Trump administration effectively cut it off from oil in January.
The energy grid collapses leave people with fewer options to get by as the U.S. keeps up a pressure campaign against the communist-led government.
Cuba's government was working to restore power after the state-run electric company reported another “total” blackout Sunday night, without specifying the cause. That followed sweeping outages across western Cuba, including the cities of Pinar del Río, Matanzas and Havana.
By Monday, some electricity had been restored in Havana, but much of the Caribbean nation was still disconnected.
Cuba already had been reeling from years of economic and energy crisis, compounded by crumbling infrastructure and migration from the island. Then the U.S. threatened to impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide it with oil.
Energy authorities reported two nationwide grid collapses in March and three in July, along with several partial outages.
Rolling blackouts now last more than 20 hours a day. Obtaining gas and basic goods have become daylong endeavors. The island's once bustling tourism industry has bottomed out. Hospitals have been left reeling.
Many in Havana struggle to sleep in the summer heat. Some now sleep along Havana's famous boardwalk, the malecón, with the benefit of the sea breeze.
A man sells fruit during a power outage in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
The Philadelphia Phillies took a big swing early Monday ahead of baseball's trade deadline, acquiring three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants to create RBI opportunities for sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Arraez is hitting an NL-best .324 in a resurgent season after signing a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco early in spring training. The 29-year-old has his highest batting average since 2023, and he's played better defense at second base after questions about his glove hindered his market in free agency.
Schwarber is second in the majors with 33 home runs entering Monday yet ranks 31st with 63 RBIs, while Harper has driven in 66. The team's .304 on-base percentage is the second lowest in the majors.
Philly also got reliever Caleb Kilian back from the Giants in the trade for two minor leaguers, and it swung a separate deal for left-handed reliever Brooks Raley with the New York Mets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers woke up already looking like the deadline's biggest winners after adding two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to a loaded roster Sunday. The Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series title.
Over in the American League, Tampa Bay beefed up its rotation Sunday by adding right-hander Freddy Peralta while the New York Yankees acquired young slugger Luis García Jr. to give their Aaron Judge-less lineup a little more pop. Also on Sunday, the Chicago Cubs added Kevin Gausman to their rotation in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. EDT. Some enticing options still remain, including San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.
— The Blue Jays bolstered their rotation with an eye on 2027 by acquiring right-hander José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels for three prospects. The 27-year-old is 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA and has a 3.72 ERA over four big league seasons. He's under team control through 2028. Infielder Arjun Nimmala, a 2023 first-round pick, headlined the minor leaguers going to Los Angeles, along with outfielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. and right-hander Angel Rivero.
— The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran left-handed reliever Brent Suter from the Angels for minor league infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. The 36-year-old Suter provides some bullpen depth for the NL East leaders. He was 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA over 63 1/3 innings in 41 appearances for Los Angeles, and threw at least two innings in 18 of those games.
— The Chicago White Sox added righty reliever Huascar Brazobán from the Mets for minor league right-handers Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin. The 36-year-old Brazobán is 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA over 46 games this season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels pitcher José Soriano throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco Giants' Luis Arraez jokes with players in the San Diego Padres dugout as he stands on first base after getting hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 30, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
