September 17, 2026

Cuba plunges into darkness as electric grid collapses

The outage comes as a US-imposed oil blockade strains the island's energy infrastructure

Cuba plunges into darkness as electric grid collapses
People sleep and rest outdoors on the steps of the University of Havana to escape the heat after Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, plunging the island of about 10 million people into darkness as blackouts become more frequent, in Havana, Cuba Aug 3, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez

bdnews24.com

Reuters

Published : 03 Aug 2026, 11:15 PM

Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM

Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, the state-owned grid operator said, plunging the ‌island of about 10 million people into darkness as blackouts become more frequent.

The outage follows three nationwide blackouts in July and comes as a US-imposed oil blockade further strains the island's ageing energy infrastructure.

The Union Electrica de Cuba gave no further details of the situation in its posts on X and Facebook.

Pressure on the power system has mounted as Cuba struggles to secure fuel imports.

It lost a key source of fuel after an oil blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump, following Washington's Jan 3 ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela had long been Cuba's primary oil supplier, with imports from Mexico also halted amid increased US pressure.

The power crisis coincides with a cautious opening of Cuba's tightly controlled energy sector, driven by fuel shortages and severe US sanctions.

Havana recently authorised its first foreign-backed fuel import venture and allowed nearly 200 Cuban businesses to participate in wholesale fuel distribution.

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