Cuba grapples with recurring blackouts across island regions
Cuba faces a recurring blackout pattern across multiple regions and timeframes in 2026.
Event / Energy
Cuba Power Crisis 2026
Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout on July 7, 2026, following fuel reserve depletion amid U.S. tariff threats against oil suppliers. The crisis disrupted public transportation and medical services.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Jul, 04:22 UTC
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What happened
Island-wide blackout struck Cuba in mid-March
A blackout struck the entire island of Cuba in mid-March 2026.
Cuba implements rolling blackouts lasting over 24 consecutive hours
The Cuban government has been rationing power with intentional outages that can stretch to more than 24 consecutive hours.
Cuba halts most public transportation due to fuel crisis
Public transportation has largely been halted across Cuba as a result of the fuel shortage and economic crisis.
Cuba cancels tens of thousands of surgeries due to fuel shortage
Cuban officials have canceled tens of thousands of surgeries as a result of the ongoing fuel shortage and economic crisis.
Previous blackout affected Cuba's eastern provinces in mid-May
A blackout in mid-May 2026 affected the island's eastern provinces of Cuba.
Island-wide blackout strikes Cuba as fuel reserves depleted
An island-wide blackout hit Cuba on Monday affecting the country's 10 million people. The blackout was reported by Cuba's state-run Electric Union, which said the cause was under investigation. The Ministry of Energy and Mines activated protocols to restore electricity.
Cuba's fuel reserves critically depleted following Trump tariff threats
Fuel reserves across Cuba have been running out since January 2026 when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any country selling or providing oil to the island. Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs. A Russian tanker delivered 730,000 barrels of oil in late March, which was depleted by the end of April.
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2 alternative perspectives
Cuba cancels surgeries, halts transit as fuel crisis deepens
Cuba suspends surgeries and transit as fuel shortage spreads to essential services.
Cuba faces island-wide blackout as fuel reserves run critically low
Cuba's fuel reserves depleted, triggering island-wide blackouts lasting over 24 hours.