Havana: Millions of people across Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national power grid collapsed, deepening an already severe energy crisis.
According to the state-run grid operator UNE, the outage affected nearly the entire island, home to around 10 million people, with authorities working to gradually restore power across provinces and major cities. Initial assessments indicate the failure was caused by transmission issues rather than a single power plant breakdown.
Fuel shortages push system to breaking point
The blackout marks the latest in a string of widespread outages driven by chronic fuel shortages and ageing infrastructure. Cuba depends heavily on imported oil, much of which previously came from Venezuela.
However, shipments have halted in recent months, severely limiting electricity generation. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that no oil deliveries have reached the island for three months, worsening the power deficit.
⚠️ Sobre el restablecimiento del SEN, actualizamos:
👉 Se realizan las acciones necesarias para llevar la energía a la CTE Ernesto Guevara De La Serna, para el arranque de la Unidad 3.
👉 Ya hemos logrado llegar con la energía a la CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes para el 👇 pic.twitter.com/wBXEoLRosk
— Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (@OSDE_UNE) March 16, 2026
The situation has been further strained by intensified pressure from the United States, including restrictions on oil shipments bound for Cuba, contributing to the collapse of the already fragile grid.
Public frustration grows amid repeated blackouts
Frequent outages have become a part of daily life in Cuba, with some regions receiving only limited electricity for hours at a time. The crisis has triggered rare public protests, reflecting growing frustration over deteriorating living conditions.
In recent days, demonstrations erupted in the city of Morón, where protesters stormed a Communist Party building over rising food prices and persistent power cuts.
Political tensions add to uncertainty
The crisis has also intensified political tensions between Havana and Washington. US President Donald Trump made controversial remarks suggesting the US could take Cuba, as both countries engage in early-stage talks to address escalating tensions.
Cuba, led by former revolutionary figure Fidel Castro until 1959’s political shift, has long had strained relations with the US, and the current crisis marks a new flashpoint in that relationship.
Restoration efforts under way
Authorities say electricity is being restored gradually, prioritising critical services such as hospitals and communication systems. However, experts warn that without stable fuel supplies and major infrastructure upgrades, outages are likely to continue.
The latest collapse underscores the scale of Cuba’s energy crisis, with repeated blackouts threatening economic stability and fuelling public discontent across the island.
MOST READ | Kyiv seeks Gulf partnerships after sharing drone defence technology
