As Cuba’s energy and economic crises worsen, officials reported that a nationwide blackout occurred on Monday in the country of approximately 11 million inhabitants. Cuba has attributed its difficulties to a U.S. energy blockade, following President Trump’s January warning of tariffs on any nation that sells or supplies oil to Cuba.
The Energy and Mines Ministry reported a “complete disconnection” of the national electrical system and stated it was conducting an investigation. Later, the ministry stated that some “microsystems” were starting to function in different territories, but it did not provide further details.
Cuba experienced its third significant blackout in the last four months. Cuban state media reported that the cause remained unknown as of Monday night.
On Friday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that the island had not received oil shipments for over three months and was relying on solar energy, natural gas, and thermoelectric plants. As a result, the government had to delay surgeries for tens of thousands of individuals.
Over a week ago, a large-scale outage impacted the island’s western region, resulting in millions being without electricity. Im Jahr 2025, nahezu exakt vor einem Jahr, erlitt das Land einen massiven Stromausfall im Westen Kubas.
Cuba’s reliance on foreign aid and oil imports from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela has been significant. However, after the U.S. attacked Venezuela in early January and arrested its then-president, Nicolás Maduro, essential oil shipments from Venezuela were stopped.
Cuba generates 40% of its petroleum and has been producing its own electricity, but this has not met demand due to the ongoing deterioration of its electric grid.
According to William LeoGrande, a professor at American University and long-time Cuba observer, the energy grid in Cuba has not received appropriate maintenance and its infrastructure is “way past its normal useful life.”
LeoGrande stated, “The technicians maintaining the grid are like magicians, given its current condition.”
According to LeoGrande, the island could manage for some time without oil shipments if it significantly decreases consumption and increases the use of renewable energy sources. He stated, “However, this would mean unending misery for most people. In time, the economy could completely implode, leading to social disorder and likely mass migration.”
As reported by CBS News Miami, videos have emerged on social media in recent days showing residents of Havana and other cities protesting by banging pots and pans. A traditional manifestation of public dissent, the “cacerolazo” reflects escalating frustration as the country grapples with power outages, scarcity of food, and worsening living conditions.
In 2021, 2022, and 2024, blackouts sparked anti-government protests.
Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, a 61-year-old man from Havana, expressed that the unending power cuts lead him to believe that Cubans with the means to do so should simply leave the island. He stated, “The small amount of food we have spoils.” “Our people are too old to continue suffering.”
Díaz-Canel confirmed on Friday that Cuba was in discussions with the U.S. government as issues continued to escalate.
A U.S. official informed CBS News earlier this year that the Trump administration’s goal is not to provoke a collapse of the Cuban government, but to negotiate with Havana for a transition away from its authoritarian communist system.
