Cuba blackout leaves millions without power after major plant shutdown
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A large-scale power outage occurred in western Cuba on Wednesday, leaving millions of people without electricity in the latest power outage to the island, which is struggling with decreasing oil supplies due to sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba said that at around 12:41 p.m., “disconnection of the national power grid led to a complete blackout” stretching from Camagüey to Pinar del Río, including the Havana metropolitan area.
“Cuba’s national power grid is becoming increasingly unstable, and long-term planned and unplanned power outages occur daily across the country, including Havana,” the embassy said. he said.
“Outages affect water supply, lighting, cooling and communications. Take precautions by saving on fuel, water, food and mobile phone charging and be prepared for serious outages.”
Neya Perez, 86, paints the nails of her neighbor Reyna Maria Rodriguez, 77, during a mass power outage across much of the country on March 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba. (REUTERS/Norlys Perez)
The incident was reportedly caused by the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, located approximately 62 miles east of Havana.
Local reports indicate the island may need at least three days to become operational again, according to the Associated Press.
“We are working on the restoration of SEN in the midst of a complex energy situation,” added Vicente de la O Levy, Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines.
He said at least one power plant (Felton 1) remained online.
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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on October 6, 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Reuters reported that some traffic lights and businesses remained operational thanks to solar panels or backup generators, as Cuba is used to frequent power outages due to government-imposed energy rationing. The outlet said many residents have installed solar panels on their homes and vehicles to preserve electricity despite rising fuel prices.
Cuba has suffered a series of widespread power outages in recent years due to longstanding problems with aging energy infrastructure and chronic fuel shortages.
But the situation worsened in January after a US military operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and halted Venezuelan oil exports, effectively choking Cuba’s main fuel source.
FILE – Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel walks during the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in January that his administration would not negotiate a new deal with Washington despite the United States cutting Havana’s power line.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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