Cuba has been plunged into darkness after a collapse of its national electricity grid left millions without power, marking the latest escalation in the island’s deepening energy crisis.
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The outage, confirmed by the state grid operator UNE, affected nearly the entire population of around 10 million people. Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the failure, with early indications pointing to a transmission issue rather than a breakdown at a major power plant.
Power restoration efforts begin
Officials said work was under way to gradually restore electricity by activating small, localised circuits — known as microsystems — across the country. These initial steps are considered essential before the full grid can be brought back online.
The blackout follows a series of prolonged outages that have become increasingly common, sometimes lasting hours or even days. The disruptions have fuelled public frustration and, over the weekend, contributed to rare protests in the country.
Fuel shortages strain ageing infrastructure
Cuba’s electricity system has long struggled with ageing infrastructure and limited maintenance. However, the situation has worsened significantly in recent months due to a sharp drop in fuel supplies.
The government says a tightening of US measures has severely restricted oil shipments to the island, leaving power stations without the fuel needed to operate. Since the start of the year, Cuba has received only two relatively small fuel deliveries, according to shipping data.
Venezuela — once Cuba’s primary oil supplier — has not sent any fuel this year, further compounding the shortage. The lack of imports has left key ports without significant activity and reduced the country’s ability to sustain electricity generation.
Mounting pressure and talks with Washington
The crisis has intensified amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States. Policies introduced by the administration of Donald Trump have targeted oil flows to the island, including threats of penalties against countries supplying fuel.
Cuban officials said last week they had entered discussions with Washington in an attempt to ease the situation. Meanwhile, US officials have suggested the island’s economic and energy systems are under severe strain.
Daily life disrupted
For many Cubans, power cuts have become part of everyday life. Residents described scrambling to cope without electricity, seeking alternatives for cooking, lighting and communication.
While outages are not new, the scale of the latest collapse underscores the fragility of the country’s energy system. Experts warn that without stable fuel supplies and investment in infrastructure, further disruptions are likely.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 March 2026