August 3, 2026 | 02:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Cuba’s national power grid collapsed late Sunday, leaving the entire country without electricity as the island faces its most severe energy crisis in decades, according to DW.
The state-owned electricity operator Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported a “total disconnection” of the national electricity system, plunging Cuba’s population of around 10 million people, including the capital Havana, into darkness.
Cuba’s Ministry of Energy said efforts were underway to restore the grid, but the latest blackout adds to a series of nationwide power failures that have disrupted daily life across the island.
The outages have also affected water supplies and cooling systems, worsening living conditions for residents amid prolonged electricity shortages.
Aging Infrastructure and Fuel Shortages Worsen Crisis
According to DW, Cuba’s electricity system relies heavily on aging oil-fired power plants that have struggled to meet demand due to limited fuel supplies and maintenance problems.
The country’s energy crisis has deepened after Cuba lost access to oil from Venezuela, previously its main fuel supplier. The supply disruption followed increased pressure from the United States after President Donald Trump imposed an oil blockade on Venezuela following Washington’s move against President Nicolás Maduro.
Mexico later became Cuba’s main oil supplier, but shipments have also stopped amid U.S. pressure. A Russian tanker shipment authorized by Washington in March provided temporary relief, but those supplies have since been exhausted.
The latest blackout follows three nationwide power outages recorded last month, highlighting the vulnerability of Cuba’s electricity infrastructure.
U.S. Pressure Adds to Economic Challenges
Cuba has also faced decades of U.S. economic sanctions, which have restricted trade and access to resources.
DW reported that the Trump administration has expanded sanctions against Cuban state-owned companies, prompting several foreign businesses to suspend operations on the island.
Washington also redesignated Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism” in 2025, after the country had briefly been removed from the list under former President Joe Biden.
The Cuban government has repeatedly blamed U.S. sanctions for worsening the country’s economic difficulties, while Washington has argued that Havana’s economic policies and state management are key factors behind the crisis.
The continuing power shortages have added to broader economic hardships in Cuba, where residents have faced rising costs, shortages of essential goods, and declining public services.
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