For Cuba, where nearly 10 million people live, this is the eighth… (куба · электроэнергия · отключение)
For Cuba, where nearly 10 million people live, this is the eighth power outage since late 2024 and at least the third in the last six months — since January 2026 when the US began an energy blockade of the island by cutting off oil and petroleum product supplies.
Consensus
- Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout affecting around 10 million people.
- The blackout is the eighth major power outage since late 2024.
- It is the third such event in the past six months.
- The energy crisis has been exacerbated by a U.S.-imposed oil blockade starting in January 2026.
- Fuel reserves have been severely depleted, with reported exhaustion of Russian-supplied oil by late April.
- Cuba produces only 40% of its required fuel.
- Planned and prolonged power outages are being implemented across the country.
- The national electricity operator UNE has launched an investigation into the cause of the blackout.
- Recovery efforts are underway, with protocols activated by the Ministry of Energy.
Points of divergence
- The blackout was caused by a 'complete rupture' with the national power production system according to UNE. — vesti
- The causes of the blackout are currently unknown, as stated by UNE. — meduza
- Reuters attributes part of the issue to poorly configured power infrastructure, in addition to the oil blockade. — kommersant
- Almost two-thirds of the country was already without electricity when the full blackout occurred. — fontanka
Coverage (4 sources)
- Cuba Experiences Third Nationwide Blackout in Six Months Due to US — Вести
- Blackout on Cuba — Third in Six Months — Meduza
- Mass blackout occurs in Cuba — Коммерсантъ
- Cuba's National Power Grid Failed; 10 Million People Left Without Electricity — Фонтанка