Cuba Plunged into Darkness as Power Grid Collapses for Second Time in a Week

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Havana: More than 10 million people across Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national grid collapsed for the second time in a week, deepening an ongoing energy crisis.

The Ministry of Energy confirmed a ‘total disconnection’ of the national system, with restoration efforts already underway. Grid operator UNE said power is being gradually restored, prioritising essential services such as hospitals and water systems.

The latest outage marks the third major blackout this month, driven by a combination of ageing infrastructure and severe fuel shortages, worsened by a U.S.-imposed oil blockade that has curtailed foreign fuel supplies.

The crisis has disrupted daily life nationwide, affecting businesses, healthcare services and food storage, while increasing public frustration. In Havana and other regions, residents staged rare protests, banging pots and pans, while unrest was also reported in parts of central Cuba.

Cuba relies heavily on imported fuel to run its power plants, but declining supplies—once supported by Venezuela—have left the grid vulnerable to repeated failures.

Amid the crisis, an international aid convoy is expected to arrive in Havana with humanitarian supplies, including solar panels, food kits and medicines.

The energy emergency comes as tensions between Havana and Washington remain high. U.S. President Donald Trump has linked any easing of sanctions to political changes in Cuba, while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has ruled out negotiating the country’s political system.

Despite initial bilateral talks between the two sides, uncertainty remains over any resolution, as Cuba continues to grapple with one of its worst energy crises in years.