Cuba Blackout: Third Nationwide Power Outage Amid US Oil Blockade & Crisis

Havana, Cuba – Millions of Cubans experienced a complete power outage Saturday, marking the second island-wide collapse of the national electric grid in less than a week and the third this month. The blackout, which began at 6:32 PM local time (2232 UTC), plunged all of Cuba’s approximately 10 million residents into darkness, according to a statement from state-owned electricity provider Unión Eléctrica reported on social media.

The recurring failures underscore Cuba’s deepening energy crisis, fueled by a dilapidated infrastructure and a prolonged shortage of fuel. The island nation currently produces only 40% of the fuel it requires, leaving it heavily reliant on imports. Power cuts, ranging from localized outages to nationwide blackouts, have turn into increasingly common over the past two years, with some regions experiencing up to 20 hours without electricity daily.

The current crisis has been significantly exacerbated by a de facto oil blockade imposed by the United States following Washington’s stance on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Cuba had been a key recipient of Venezuelan oil, but with the US opposing Maduro’s government, those supplies have been effectively cut off. According to Investing.com, no oil has been imported to Cuba since January 9th, severely impacting both the power sector and the vital tourism industry, forcing airlines to reduce flights.

The situation has drawn sharp criticism from the Cuban government, which attributes its economic woes, including the failing power grid, to the long-standing US trade embargo. Still, the US government maintains that Cuba’s centrally planned, Soviet-style economy is the root cause of the problems. The Trump administration has demanded the release of political prisoners and a move towards political and economic liberalization as preconditions for lifting sanctions.

Adding to the tensions, former US President Donald Trump has openly discussed the possibility of intervening in Cuba. Al Jazeera reported that Trump has even suggested a “friendly takeover” of the island, signaling a continued desire for regime change.

The repeated blackouts are fueling growing public discontent. While independent reporting from within Cuba is limited, social media indicates rising anger towards the government’s handling of the crisis. The situation remains volatile as Cuba awaits potential solutions and faces an uncertain energy future.