Cuba plunges into total blackout as electrical grid collapses again, US Embassy warns
Cuba Suffers Seventh Nationwide Blackout of the Year, Embassy Warns U.S. Travelers
Havana, Cuba – A total collapse of Cuba’s electrical grid plunged the island into darkness on Friday, marking the seventh nationwide power outage this year and the most severe blackout the U.S. Embassy in Havana has seen since the country’s recent energy crisis began.
According to the embassy, the failure was “the collapse of Cuba’s electrical grid,” a problem the Cuban regime’s state media says is still under investigation. The outage affected nearly every province, leaving millions of Cubans without electricity, and reports indicate that cellphone and internet services were also disrupted.
“This electrical system remains vulnerable,” the embassy warned, adding that scheduled power cuts occur daily and unscheduled outages continue to happen throughout the country. The U.S. mission urged all U.S. citizens in Cuba—or those planning to travel—to plan accordingly and remain aware of the ongoing instability.
The Ministry of Energy posted a brief message on social media acknowledging the outage and noting that the island’s power system is “increasingly unstable.” It added that the country’s energy infrastructure has been struggling under chronic fuel shortages caused by the U.S. oil blockade, aging equipment, and an overall decline in maintenance.
Experts say that the cumulative effect of fuel constraints, a deteriorating grid, and a lack of investment in infrastructure has led to the recurring rolling blackouts that have left millions without power for days at a time. The most recent blackout, which began just last month, was the sixth nationwide outage this year; the Friday collapse marked the seventh.
“We have seen scheduled power cuts in almost every region of the country on a daily basis,” the embassy said. “However, unscheduled outages persist throughout Cuba and the electrical system remains vulnerable.”
The repeated outages have sparked concern among U.S. citizens, particularly those with family ties or business interests in the country. While the U.S. Embassy has not provided a timeline for a full restoration of service, officials stress that the instability could continue for the foreseeable future.
Cuba’s long‑standing economic problems and political isolation have taken a toll on the nation’s critical infrastructure. The current crisis underscores the fragile nature of the island’s energy supply and the ongoing impact of U.S. sanctions on the daily lives of its citizens.
As the country continues to navigate this energy crisis, U.S. travelers are advised to remain vigilant, check for updated travel advisories, and plan for potential disruptions to communications and power.