Cuba faces third nationwide blackout amid fuel blockade and protests

Cuba suffered its third nationwide power blackout in six months on Monday, plunging the island of 9.6 million into darkness. Source: The Guardian The grid operator UNE reported a total disconnection of the national electricity system; the cause is under investigation. Source: CNN Protests broke out in Havana, with residents banging pots and shouting "turn on the lights". Source: CNA

The energy crisis

The blackout is the eighth since late 2024. Source: Al Jazeera The US fuel blockade, imposed in January, has severely limited fuel supplies, with only one Russian tanker allowed through. Source: The Guardian Power cuts have reached over 30 consecutive hours in parts of Havana and over 70 hours in rural areas. Source: Al Jazeera Solar energy, while increasing, accounts for only 10% of the energy mix. Source: The Guardian

Political context

Cuba's Minister of Foreign Trade called the situation "genocide". Source: CNN The US State Department dismissed recent economic reforms as "superficial smoke signals". Source: CNN Talks between US and Cuban officials have occurred, including a meeting between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Cuban intelligence. Source: CNN