- Cuba's electrical grid collapsed late on Sunday, plunging the island of about 10 million people into darkness, as blackouts become more frequent.
- Before the nationwide failure, Havana's electricity company reported outages caused by damaged transformers, circuit failures, and planned cuts linked to insufficient generating capacity.
- Sunday's failure is the latest in a series of nationwide blackouts this year, with the grid collapsing three times within nine days in July, including two island-wide failures in the same week.
- Cuba has struggled to secure fuel since the US oil blockade imposed after the January 3 ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with Mexico also halting exports.
- Earlier on Sunday, dozens of unresolved complaints were recorded across various municipalities, including Guanabacoa, Habana del Este, La Lisa, and Marianao.
- The Cuban government has announced incremental economic reforms, including allowing nearly 200 businesses to engage in wholesale fuel distribution.
- Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz stated that results of reforms will be achieved gradually, indicating that the most difficult stage begins now.
Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late Sunday, marking the latest in a series of nationwide blackouts that have plagued the island this year. The state-run Electric Union announced the failure but did not provide details on its cause or when power would be restored.
Before the blackout, Havana's electricity company reported outages due to damaged transformers and planned cuts linked to insufficient generating capacity. Authorities typically attempt to recover from a total collapse by creating small, isolated power networks to supply essential services before reconnecting larger plants.2
This blackout follows a troubling trend, with the grid collapsing three times within nine days in July, including two island-wide failures. About 10 million people were left without electricity during these outages, as the country struggled to generate enough power to meet demand even after the network was reconnected.
Cuba's energy system has deteriorated due to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure, with some facilities over 30 years old and poorly maintained. The Cuban government attributes the crisis to U.S. sanctions, which have restricted oil supplies and financing. Venezuela, once Cuba's primary oil supplier, has also ceased exports amid U.S. pressure.5
The ongoing blackouts have severely impacted daily life, disrupting transport, water supplies, and medical services, leaving households struggling to preserve food and cope with the summer heat. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged the need for economic reforms, stating, “The results will be achieved gradually.”910
“The grid also collapsed three times within nine days in July, including two island-wide failures in the same week, one of which left about 10 million people without electricity. Cuba's aging power system has deteriorated amid fuel shortages and US sanctions, prompting the government to launch incremental energy-sector reforms.”
