Cuba's national power grid experienced a complete failure on Friday, marking the second nationwide blackout in under a week, according to the state-run electric utility UNE. The operator announced on social media platform X that a "total disconnection" occurred at 4:30 pm local time (2030 GMT), describing it as a "total collapse of the National Electric System." UNE did not provide an immediate cause for the outage.
Second Blackout in a Week Deepens Crisis
This blackout follows a similar event on July 6, highlighting the fragility of Cuba's energy infrastructure. The country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, characterized by severe fuel shortages and frequent power failures. Official media reported that the economy contracted sharply in the first half of 2026, with average daily power outages reaching 20 hours and the electricity deficit climbing to 1,955 megawatts.
Authorities Blame US Sanctions
Cuban authorities have attributed much of the economic deterioration to tighter US measures. They claim Washington has disrupted oil supplies, pressured companies doing business with Cuba, and restricted the island's access to international credit and financing. The White House stated that on May 1, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on Cuban officials and entities, citing repression and threats to US national security and foreign policy. Additionally, in January, Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and establishing a mechanism to impose tariffs on goods from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba.
Impact on Daily Life
The repeated blackouts have severely impacted daily life and economic activity. With power outages lasting an average of 20 hours per day, businesses struggle to operate, and households face difficulties in accessing water, food preservation, and communication. The electricity deficit of 1,955 megawatts underscores the scale of the energy shortage.
