Cuba Plunges into Darkness as Electric Grid Collapses

People talk during a power outage in Havana, Cuba, 01 August 2026. EPA/Ernesto Mastrascusa
People talk during a power outage in Havana, Cuba, 01 August 2026. EPA/Ernesto Mastrascusa
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Cuba Plunges into Darkness as Electric Grid Collapses

People talk during a power outage in Havana, Cuba, 01 August 2026. EPA/Ernesto Mastrascusa
People talk during a power outage in Havana, Cuba, 01 August 2026. EPA/Ernesto Mastrascusa

Cuba's electricity grid collapsed late on Sunday, the state-owned grid operator said, plunging the island of about 10 million people into darkness as blackouts become more frequent.

The outage follows three nationwide blackouts in July and comes as a US-imposed oil ‌blockade further ‌strains the island's ageing energy ‌infrastructure, reported Reuters.

The ⁠Union Electrica de ⁠Cuba gave no further details of the situation in its posts on X and Facebook.

Pressure on the power system has mounted as Cuba ⁠struggles to secure fuel imports.

It ‌lost a ‌key source of fuel after an ‌oil blockade imposed by US President ‌Donald Trump, following Washington's January 3 ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela had long been Cuba's primary ‌oil supplier, with imports from Mexico also halted amid ⁠increased ⁠US pressure.

The power crisis coincides with a cautious opening of Cuba's tightly controlled energy sector, driven by fuel shortages and severe US sanctions.

Havana recently authorized its first foreign-backed fuel import venture and allowed nearly 200 Cuban businesses to participate in wholesale fuel distribution.