Cuba experienced its third nationwide power blackout in less than 10 days on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, when the entire national power grid collapsed around 11am local time (15:00 GMT). The outage left approximately 10 million people without electricity.

The state-run electricity company UNE confirmed the grid failure, and Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines stated on social media, “There has been a total disconnection of the electrical system.”

This blackout marks the fifth nationwide power outage in Cuba during 2026, occurring amid a US-imposed oil blockade. The blockade was intensified in January 2026 after the United States removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power.

According to the International Energy Agency, as of 2023, Cuba produced only about 40 percent of the oil it consumed, making the country heavily dependent on imported fuel. The ongoing fuel shortages have contributed to the instability of Cuba’s power grid.

At the United Nations, Cuba has sought international support against what it calls the “ruthless” US blockade. Meanwhile, the US has imposed new sanctions on Cuba’s tourism ministry and state-owned companies.

Sources