Cuba experienced a widespread blackout on Monday, impacting the entire island as the energy crisis deepens. Approximately 10 million residents were left without power before electricity began to return to select regions. The state-controlled Electric Union indicated that the National Electric Power System had completely disconnected, though the exact causes are under investigation.
Frequent power outages have plagued Cuba in recent years due to persistent fuel shortages and aging infrastructure. These issues were compounded when former President Donald Trump implemented additional sanctions and threatened tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba.
Impact of the Blackout
The Associated Press reported that the blackout caused significant disruptions, including halting public transportation and canceling tens of thousands of surgeries throughout the country. Limited power generation resumed within two hours after the initial collapse, with the Electric Union deploying microsystems to maintain crucial services.
Geopolitical Tensions Complicate Recovery
The Cuban government, while striving to restore electricity, attributes part of the energy struggles to U.S. policies. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy claimed the complex situation is worsened by what he described as an energy blockade. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel railed against the U.S. strategies, labeling them a “genocidal” blockade intended to destabilize Cuba.
Following a U.S. military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which interrupted Venezuelan oil exports, Cuba’s energy issues intensified. As Cuba imports roughly 60% of its needed fuel, these disruptions severely affected the country. A Russian tanker delivered approximately 730,000 barrels of oil in March, but these supplies did not last beyond April.
In response to the scarcity, the Cuban government has scheduled lengthy power outages, sometimes lasting more than 24 hours in certain areas. Earlier in March, blackouts affected western provinces, and a later outage enveloped the whole island in darkness.