Cuba's regime faces unprecedented economic pressure from Donald Trump's administration, forcing talks on liberalisation as fuel blockades and sanctions devastate the island.

Trump has recently increased pressure on the island nation of Cuba, adding March 17 Washington would be doing "something with Cuba" soon.

Here’s what to know about the energy, economic, and political crises surrounding Cuba—and the role of Trump and the U.S.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck eastern Cuba early Tuesday, hours after the island's national power grid collapsed. No deaths were reported.

On Friday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country was running on about 40% of the fuel it needs, and that figure is dwindling daily as no fuel is entering the country. The result is that women are giving birth in dark hospitals with no power, and locals say they are used to power lasting just two to five hours daily.

The U.S. has been trying to bring about regime change in Cuba since the 1959 revolution that swept Fidel Castro to power. Washington has tried to do so by military force, notably the failed April 1961 “Bay of Pigs” incursion, and by squeezing the island economically with an embargo.

A Cuban mechanic has converted his 1980 Fiat Polski to run on charcoal, a cheaper and more abundant fuel than gasoline since Washington cut off oil shipments to the Caribbean island in January.

DeSantis said even if the state suspends gas taxes, fluctuations in oil prices may erase any potential savings for motorists.