Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout on Monday after its entire electrical grid collapsed, leaving roughly 10 million residents, including those in Havana, without power. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba confirmed that the disconnection occurred at 1:54 p.m. local time, causing a complete outage across the island.
Investigation Underway as Power Restoration Begins
The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines announced that authorities are investigating the causes of the grid failure and have started protocols to restore electricity. Power has begun returning to some areas, but the situation remains unstable.
The collapse comes amid longstanding issues with Cuba’s aging electrical infrastructure, compounded by fuel shortages and economic restrictions that limit access to energy resources. The U.S. embargo and recent U.S. actions disrupting Venezuelan fuel shipments, a key source of Cuba’s energy, have been cited by Cuban officials as factors exacerbating the crisis.
Energy Crisis Fuels Public Unrest and Government Response
The blackout follows widespread protests fueled by frustration over ongoing energy shortages. Late last week, demonstrators in Morón attacked a local Communist Party headquarters, setting fires and chanting for liberty. Cuban authorities reportedly responded with force during the unrest.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos F. de Cossio attributed the blackout’s impact on Cuban families to U.S. policy, stating officials must be “feeling very happy” about the harm caused. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel recently noted that the country has not received any fuel shipments in three months, forcing reliance on renewable energy sources. Officials have described solar projects as a “national security necessity” amid fuel import restrictions.
The Villa Clara Electric Company advised residents to unplug nonessential devices and keep only essential equipment powered until stability returns. The persistent energy crisis continues to disrupt water supply, refrigeration, and communications across the island.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.
