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Cuba Faces Seventh Major 2026 Blackout Amid Fuel Crisis
Cuba lost electricity across much of the country on Friday.
It was the seventh major blackout there this year.
Only about one in twenty people in Havana had power that evening.
Officials said a transmission-line failure and unstable weather helped cause the outage.
Cuba also does not have enough fuel to run many power plants and backup generators.
Some recent outages have lasted more than a day.
The blackouts have also disrupted water supplies and mobile phone service.
Cuba says U.S. measures are making the fuel shortage worse.
The United States says Cuba’s own management is a major cause of the problem.
Cuba experienced its seventh major blackout of 2026 and 12th nationwide blackout since late 2024.
Only about 5% of Havana residents had electricity on Friday evening after the national grid disconnected.
Officials cited transmission-line failure and unstable weather, while fuel shortages have worsened the crisis.
Recent outages have lasted over 30 hours in Havana and more than 60 hours in some provinces.
Cuba blames U.S. measures, while Washington attributes the hardship to poor internal management.
- Who
- Cuba’s residents, the Cuban energy ministry and state utility UNE were directly involved; Cuba and Washington offered differing explanations.
- What
- A nationwide electrical-system failure caused Cuba’s seventh major blackout of 2026.
- Where
- Across Cuba, with only about 5% of Havana residents reportedly having power Friday evening.
- When
- Friday; the crisis has worsened since January, and the outage was the 12th nationwide blackout since late 2024.
- Why
- UNE cited a transmission-line failure and unstable weather, while broader outages are linked to aging power plants, severe fuel shortages and disputed responsibility for U.S. measures and internal management.
Cuban government’s explanation
Washington’s explanation
Cause of the energy crisis
Cuban government’s explanation
Cuba blames U.S.-imposed punitive measures, described in the report as a de facto energy blockade, for worsening fuel shortages and restricting power generation.
Washington’s explanation
Washington attributes the hardship to poor internal management by Cuba.
Role of fuel shortages
Cuban government’s explanation
Cuba’s lack of imported diesel makes it difficult to supply power plants and backup generators, and Cuban officials link this deterioration to U.S. pressure.
Washington’s explanation
The article does not provide a separate Washington statement specifically addressing the fuel supply, but its broader position assigns responsibility to Cuba’s internal management.
Key facts
- Major blackout count in 2026
- Seven
- Nationwide blackout count since late 2024
- Twelve
- Havana residents with power Friday evening
- About 5%
- Recent Havana outage duration
- More than 30 hours
- Recent outage duration in some provinces
- More than 60 hours
- Population living in poverty
- 66%, according to a study by the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue
- Earlier poverty estimate
- 45% in mid-2025
Quotes
Lidia Fernandez
Cuban schoolteacher interviewed by AFP
“It's one thing after another: no water, no gas for cooking, no electricity”
firstpost.com
“an indicative picture that the problem is growing”
firstpost.com
Cuba’s energy ministry
Cuban government ministry responsible for energy policy
“A total disconnection of the electrical system has occurred”
firstpost.com
Sources
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