Millions of people across Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national power grid collapsed, triggering widespread disruption and fresh unrest in the crisis-hit island nation. The outage, which struck on Monday, plunged large parts of the country, including the capital Havana, into darkness, with residents relying on flashlights, battery-powered lamps and vehicle headlamps to navigate unlit streets.
According to the state-run grid operator UNE, efforts to restore electricity began soon after the collapse, with gradual reconnection reported in several provinces by early Tuesday. However, officials acknowledged that the system remains fragile, marking yet another major blackout in a series of outages that have battered the country in recent months.
The latest power failure highlights the worsening energy crisis gripping Cuba, driven by aging infrastructure, limited maintenance capacity and severe fuel shortages. The country depends heavily on imported oil to run its electricity generation system, but supplies have sharply declined amid geopolitical tensions and restrictions on shipments.
The situation has compounded an already dire economic scenario marked by shortages of food, fuel and essential medicines. With electricity unavailable, basic services have also been affected, including water supply systems that rely on electric pumps. Residents say the cascading impact of outages has made daily life increasingly difficult.
“It is not just the blackout. There is no water, no food, no fuel — everything is affected,” a Havana resident said, describing the worsening conditions. Others, however, expressed resignation, noting that frequent outages have become part of daily life.
Public frustration has spilled onto the streets, with reports of rare protests emerging in parts of the country. In Havana, residents were seen banging pots and pans in protest against prolonged blackouts and deteriorating living conditions. Demonstrations of this nature are uncommon in Cuba, where unauthorised protests are illegal and can lead to arrests.
The unrest follows similar incidents in recent days, including a protest in the central city of Morón that turned violent, reflecting growing anger among citizens over persistent shortages and power cuts.
The crisis has also drawn international attention amid escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States. Washington has tightened pressure on the island by restricting oil flows, particularly after disruptions in supplies from Venezuela, which had long been a key energy partner.
US President Donald Trump has further intensified rhetoric, suggesting possible intervention and warning of consequences if Cuba does not engage with Washington. Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has confirmed that preliminary talks are underway between the two countries to address ongoing tensions.
In an attempt to ease the crisis, Cuban authorities have ramped up domestic energy production, including solar power and local fuel extraction. However, these measures have so far failed to offset the severe shortfall in imported oil or prevent recurring grid failures.
As the country struggles to stabilise its electricity supply, the ongoing blackouts continue to fuel public discontent, raising concerns about further unrest in the weeks ahead.
