Millions lose power across Cuba as Trump sanctions continue to fuel ongoing energy crisis

A large-scale blackout struck occidental Cuba connected Wednesday, leaving millions without powerfulness successful the latest outage to deed the land arsenic it grapples with dwindling lipid supplies owed to sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump.

The U.S. Embassy successful Cuba said that astatine astir 12:41 p.m., determination was a "disconnection of the nationalist electrical grid resulting successful a implicit powerfulness outage" stretching from Camagüey to Pinar del Río, including the greater Havana metropolitan area.

"Cuba’s nationalist electrical grid is progressively unstable and prolonged scheduled and unscheduled powerfulness outages are a regular occurrence crossed the state to see Havana," the embassy said. 

"Outages impact h2o supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food, and mobile telephone charge, and beryllium prepared for important disruption."

Neya Perez, 86, paints the nails of her neighbour Reyna Maria Rodriguez, 77, during a wide blackout crossed astir of the country, successful Havana, Cuba, connected March 4, 2026. (REUTERS/Norlys Perez)

The incidental was reportedly caused by an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, located astir 62 miles eastbound of Havana.

Local reports bespeak the land whitethorn request astatine slightest 3 days to reconstruct operations, according to the Associated Press.

Vicente de la O Levy, the curate of Energy and Mines of Cuba, added that "We are moving connected the restoration of the SEN amid a analyzable vigor situation." 

At slightest 1 powerfulness plant, Felton 1, remains online, helium said.

CUBA’S PRESIDENT DEFIANT, SAYS NO NEGOTIATIONS SCHEDULED AS TRUMP MOVES TO CHOKE OFF OIL LIFELINE

President Donald Trump speaks successful the Oval Office astatine the White House connected Oct. 6, 2025 successful Washington, D.C.  (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Reuters reported that, due to the fact that Cuba is accustomed to predominant powerfulness outages caused by state-imposed vigor rationing, immoderate postulation lights and businesses remained operational acknowledgment to star panels oregon backup generators. Many residents person besides installed star panels connected their homes and vehicles to support energy amid soaring substance prices, the outlet said.

Cuba has endured a drawstring of wide blackouts successful caller years owed to long-standing issues with its aging powerfulness infrastructure and chronic substance shortages.

However, the concern worsened successful January aft a U.S. subject cognition captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and halted Venezuelan lipid exports, efficaciously choking disconnected Cuba's cardinal root of fuel.

FILE - Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel walks done the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, successful Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated successful January that, contempt the U.S. severing Havana’s vigor lifeline, his medication would not negociate with Washington to found a caller agreement.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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