The numbers
Cuba reported an islandwide blackout on March 16, 2026, affecting its entire electrical system and leaving millions in the dark. This incident marks the third major blackout in the country over the past four months, highlighting a growing energy crisis that has left approximately 11 million people without reliable power.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed a “complete disconnection” of the country’s electrical system. In Havana, only 5 percent of residents had their power restored, with around 42,000 customers regaining electricity. However, the situation remains dire as Cuba has not received oil shipments in more than three months, exacerbating the crisis.
Cuba produces about 40 percent of its petroleum, but this is insufficient to meet the island’s energy demands. The halt of critical oil shipments from Venezuela followed a U.S. attack on the South American nation in early January, further straining Cuba’s energy resources. Residents have expressed their frustration through protests, with many banging pots and pans to voice their discontent over the ongoing outages.
Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, a resident of Havana, lamented, “What little we have to eat spoils,” reflecting the dire conditions many are facing. He added, “Our people are too old to keep suffering,” underscoring the toll that these outages are taking on the population.
William LeoGrande, a political expert, commented on the situation, stating, “The technicians working on the grid are magicians to keep it running at all given the shape that it’s in.” He described the current circumstances as “a perfect storm of collapse,” indicating the severity of the energy crisis.
The Cuban government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people due to the blackout, adding to the urgency of the situation. The exact cause of the blackout is still unknown, and details remain unconfirmed regarding ongoing talks between Cuba and the U.S. that may address the energy crisis.
As Cuba grapples with this latest blackout, observers are closely monitoring the government’s response and the potential for further protests as residents demand accountability and solutions to the ongoing energy crisis.
