Cuba experiences second islandwide blackout this week

On Friday, Cuba experienced an islandwide blackout, the second major power outage of the week, leaving nearly 10 million residents without electricity. The shutdown affected all provinces, cutting power to homes, businesses and public services, including hospitals and transportation hubs. Officials said the grid failure was a direct consequence of the country’s deteriorating power infrastructure and the persistent shortage of diesel fuel needed to run backup generators.

The fuel shortfall is rooted in the U.S. Energy blockade, which has restricted Cuba’s ability to import oil and related products. With limited diesel supplies, the state’s power plants and emergency generators have struggled to maintain continuous operation. In response, the Cuban government has intensified fuel rationing, accelerated maintenance on aging power plants, and explored alternative energy sources such as solar and wind to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

The repeated blackouts underscore the fragility of Cuba’s power system amid ongoing sanctions and economic pressure. While the government continues to implement short‑term measures to stabilize the grid, the situation remains precarious, highlighting the broader challenges faced by the island nation’s infrastructure and energy security.