Cuba's Grid Collapses Again, 9 Million Without Power
Cuba's Grid Collapses Again, 9 Million Without Power
The News
Cuba's national power grid suffered a total collapse on Friday, leaving an island of about 9 million people without electricity, the country's Ministry of Energy and Mines said in a post on X.
A transmission failure in western Cuba triggered the breakdown, which spread east through Matanzas and beyond.
It is at least the sixth time the grid has failed nationwide since President Donald Trump cut off fuel to the island in January, according to The Washington Times.
The Numbers
About 9 million people live on the island. By dusk, power had been restored to roughly 5% of Havana's approximately 862,000 customers.
Timeline
Trump cuts off fuel shipments to Cuba, according to The Washington Times.
A nationwide blackout hits the island.
Another nationwide blackout, one of several total and regional failures over the past two years.
The grid collapses nationwide again.
A transmission failure in western Cuba brings down the entire grid. The energy ministry announces the collapse on its official X account.
Authorities report power back for about 5% of Havana's roughly 862,000 customers and begin building power "micro-islands" in Camagüey, Pinar del Río and Granma provinces.
Reactions
The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed the total collapse in a social media post, Reuters reported, without saying how long full restoration would take.
State newspaper Granma said unstable weather conditions worsened the grid's situation.
Coverage of the collapse agrees on the facts but splits on emphasis: The Washington Times ties the repeated failures to the U.S. fuel cutoff in January, while other outlets foreground Cuba's aging infrastructure and long-running economic crisis.
What's Next
Cuban authorities are establishing power micro-islands in Camagüey, Pinar del Río and Granma provinces to restart the system in sections.
Power systems at hospitals and emergency facilities were being reactivated as a priority.
Officials have not said when full restoration will be achieved, and there is no indication of a change to the fuel supply situation.
More
Cuba's grid has suffered repeated total collapses over the past two years, driven by an acute economic crisis.
Even when the system is running, rolling blackouts lasting more than 30 consecutive hours are common on the island.
Poll
What is most to blame for Cuba's repeated blackouts?
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