Cuba experienced its second nationwide blackout in five days on Friday, marking the ninth nationwide outage since 2024. The state electricity company, UNE, reported a
total collapse of the national electric system
at 4:30 p.m. local time (2030 UTC). The Energy Ministry stated that protocols were being activated to recover the system.
Key Details
This blackout follows a previous outage attributed to voltage instability and low electricity output. Most of the country was reconnected to the grid by late Tuesday after the earlier blackout. The ongoing energy crisis is exacerbated by a six-month U.S. fuel blockade and the island's aging energy infrastructure. According to reports, Cuba requires over 100,000 barrels of oil per day to meet its energy needs, but only one oil tanker has arrived since the blockade began.
Havana blames its energy woes on the U.S. embargo, while Washington attributes the issues to mismanagement within the Cuban economy. The U.S. has significantly reduced oil supplies to Cuba since the Trump administration's policies took effect, further straining the country's energy resources.
Background
For more on Cuba's energy challenges, see Cuba Suffers Second Nationwide Blackout in Five Days.
Related coverage: Man Charged with Murdering Family After Arrest in South.
The blackout could further strain Cuba's economy, impacting sectors reliant on stable electricity supply, including healthcare and tourism. Investors will watch for any changes in U.S. policy regarding the fuel blockade and its potential effects on Cuba's energy situation.