Cuba plunged into islandwide blackout as energy crisis deepens

Cuba was hit by a nationwide blackout on Monday , leaving millions without power as its aging energy infrastructure and deepening economic crisis worsened. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a “complete disconnection” of the national electrical grid and said investigations were underway, noting no immediate failures in units operating when the collapse occurred. This marks the third major blackout in four months and the sixth in just over a year .

By Tuesday, parts of the grid had been restored, but millions remained without electricity, particularly in eastern provinces such as Santiago de Cuba. Hospitals, public services, and households continue to struggle with prolonged outages. Experts cite decades of poor maintenance, outdated equipment, and operational failures , including boiler and transmission issues at key thermoelectric plants.

Residents voiced frustration. Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, 61, said food routinely spoils, while Yaimisel Sánchez Peña, 48, described groceries from abroad going bad and worsening her 72-year-old mother’s struggles. Mercedes Velázquez, 71, recounted giving away freshly prepared food to avoid spoilage.

The blackout has sparked rare protests , notably in Morón , where demonstrators partially damaged a Communist Party building and five were arrested. Reports indicate unrest in other cities as frustration grows. The crisis is also humanitarian , with postponed surgeries, disrupted vaccine storage, spoiled food, and limited access to water and sanitation.

Fuel shortages, following halted oil shipments from Venezuela , have worsened the situation. Cuba relies on domestic petroleum, solar, natural gas, and thermoelectric plants , but supply remains insufficient. Heavy oil use corrodes equipment, and lack of foreign currency limits grid modernization.

Amid the crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he could “take Cuba,” describing it as “very weakened,” while Washington maintains a maximum pressure campaign . President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed talks with the U.S. to address energy and economic challenges, emphasizing Cuban sovereignty.

Experts warn that without investment, fuel, and renewable expansion , hardship will continue. Rapid solar deployment offers limited relief, but economic reforms and foreign support are crucial to stabilize the island. Cubans face daily uncertainty, food spoilage, disrupted services, and social unrest as the crisis persists.