Cuba suffers third nationwide blackout in two weeks

Cuba experienced its third nationwide blackout in less than two weeks on Tuesday, July 15, 2026, when the National Electric System (SEN) collapsed around midday, leaving nearly 10 million people without power. The blackout was triggered by a problem with a generating unit in the eastern province of Holguín, according to state-owned Electric Union Source: euronews.

What happened

• The outage began at approximately 11:00 local time, causing a "total disconnection of the electrical system," per Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines Source: Al Jazeera.
• Authorities activated restoration protocols, establishing "micro-islands" and prioritizing hospitals and food processing plants. By afternoon, 4% of Havana had power, and some provinces like Guantánamo and Cienfuegos reported power to hospitals Source: euronews.
• This is the third nationwide blackout in July 2026, following outages on Monday and Friday of the previous week. Earlier blackouts occurred in March Source: euronews.

Impact and reaction

• The blackouts have exacerbated Cuba's worst economic crisis in decades, worsened by a U.S. oil embargo imposed by President Donald Trump in January after the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Cuba produces only 40% of its fuel needs Source: euronews, Al Jazeera.
• Basic services like water, internet, phone, and cooking have been severely disrupted. Public transportation is largely halted, and tens of thousands of surgeries have been cancelled Source: euronews.
• Frustration is mounting. In Havana, residents have banged pots and pans and shouted "turn on the lights." A CNN analyst living in Havana notes that anxiety is at an all-time high, with people feeling exhausted and uncertain Source: CNN.
• The U.S. blames Cuba's government for the power failures, while Havana points to the U.S. blockade. Four Democratic U.S. lawmakers described the embargo as turning Cuba into a "silent Gaza" Source: euronews.