Trending Now - Cuba Grapples With Widespread Blackouts Amid Energy Crisis

WHO:

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated on March 16th, 2026, that Cuba has not received oil shipments in over three months.

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga announced on March 16th, 2026, that Cuba plans to allow Cubans living abroad to invest and own businesses on the island.

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga stated that Cuba is open to "not only small investments, but also large investments, particularly in infrastructure."

President Trump stated, "Cuba wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do."

Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Carlos F. de Cossio stated, "Officials in the US gov must be feeling very happy by the harm caused to every Cuban family."

President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuba has not received oil shipments in over three months.

Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, a 61-year-old resident of Havana, expressed frustration over the outages, stating, "What little we have to eat spoils. Our people are too old to keep suffering."

William LeoGrande, a professor at American University, commented on the state of Cuba's energy grid, saying, "The technicians working on the grid are magicians to keep it running at all given the shape that it’s in."

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga stated that Cuba is open to investments from Cubans living abroad, including in the U.S.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuba was holding talks with the U.S. government.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel

Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba

Approximately 11 million people in Cuba

WHAT:

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported on March 16th, 2026, a "complete disconnection" of the country’s electrical system and stated that it was investigating the causes.

By March 17th, 2026, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island.

The blackout on March 16th, 2026, was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island by March 17th, 2026.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted that "there is no information on when power would be restored" as of March 16th, 2026.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed that it was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

By March 17th, 2026, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed that it was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba wrote on X on March 16th, 2026, that "there is no information on when power would be restored."

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted that "prolonged scheduled and unscheduled power outages are a daily occurrence across the country."

The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated that there were no failures in the units that were operating when the grid collapsed on March 16th, 2026.

President Trump stated on March 16th, 2026, "I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it," regarding Cuba.

President Trump said he believes he’ll have the “honor of taking Cuba,” and added, “I think I could do anything I want with it,” calling it a “very weakened nation.”

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred at 1:54 PM local time on March 16th, 2026.

By March 17th, 2026, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated that there were no failures in the units that were operating when the grid collapsed on March 16th, 2026.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines noted that it was investigating the causes of the "complete disconnection" of the electrical system.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba wrote on X on March 16th, 2026, that "there is no information on when power would be restored."

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a "complete disconnection" of the country’s electrical system on March 16th, 2026.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed that it was the third major blackout in Cuba over the past four months.

President Trump stated on March 16th, 2026, "I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it," regarding Cuba.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted that "prolonged scheduled and unscheduled power outages are a daily occurrence across the country," indicating the severity of the energy crisis.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that the total collapse of the electrical grid occurred at 1:54 PM local time on March 16th, 2026.

By March 17th, 2026, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines noted that it was investigating the causes of the "complete disconnection" of the electrical system.

By March 17th, 2026, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 2% of Havana's residents, approximately 18,000 customers, and a handful of hospitals across the island.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated that there were no failures in the units that were operating when the grid collapsed on March 16th, 2026.

The Cuban government plans to allow Cubans living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, marking a significant policy shift.

President Trump stated, "Cuba wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do," regarding U.S.-Cuba relations.

The government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people due to the energy crisis.

In 2025, nearly exactly a year ago, Cuba suffered a massive outage in western Cuba.

Videos circulating on social media have shown residents in Havana and other cities banging pots and pans in protest, a traditional form of public dissent known as a "cacerolazo."

Cuba’s electrical grid suffered a total collapse on March 16th, 2026.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a "complete disconnection" of the country’s electrical system.

A massive outage over a week prior affected the island’s west, leaving millions without power.

Cuba has not received oil shipments in more than three months.

WHERE:

The blackout affected the entire island of Cuba, which has a population of approximately 11 million people.

Cuba

WHEN:

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred at 1:54 PM local time on March 16th, 2026.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba made its statement on March 16th, 2026.

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred at 1:54 PM local time on March 16th, 2026.

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred on March 16th, 2026.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba made its statement on March 16th, 2026.

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred on March 16th, 2026.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported the collapse on March 16th, 2026.

The total collapse of the electrical grid occurred on March 16th, 2026.

The massive outage affecting the island’s west occurred on March 9th, 2026.

WHY:

The U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 has significantly impacted Cuba's oil supply, leading to the current energy crisis.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted that "prolonged scheduled and unscheduled power outages are a daily occurrence across the country," indicating the severity of the energy crisis.

The U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 has significantly impacted Cuba's oil supply.

Critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted after the U.S. attacked the South American country in early January 2026 and arrested its then-president, Nicolás Maduro.

Cuba blames its energy woes on a U.S. energy blockade.

President Trump warned in January 2026 of tariffs on any country that would sell or provide oil to Cuba.

HOW:

The Cuban government is implementing new measures aimed at boosting the island's economy, including allowing Cubans residing abroad to be partners or owners of private companies in Cuba and to establish ties with both state-owned and private Cuban entities.

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted that "prolonged scheduled and unscheduled power outages are a daily occurrence across the country," indicating the severity of the energy crisis.

Cuba has relied heavily on foreign assistance and oil shipments from allies like Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela, but it has not been sufficient to meet demand as its electric grid continues to crumble.

Cuba is currently operating on solar power, natural gas, and thermoelectric plants.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 15:19 UTC)

On March 16, 2026, President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that Cuba has not received any oil shipments in over three months, contributing to a significant energy crisis. The blackout that began at 1:54 PM local time on that day marked the third major power outage in Cuba within the last four months, with state-owned media reporting that only 2% of Havana's residents had their power restored by March 17. In response to these challenges, the Cuban government is now allowing Cubans living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, aiming to strengthen the economy amidst these ongoing difficulties.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Cuba's Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga announced that the country is open to both small and large investments, particularly in infrastructure, while President Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal with Cuba. As of March 17, crews have restored power to about 18,000 residents in Havana following a major blackout that occurred on March 16, but the U.S. Embassy in Cuba stated there is no information on when full power will be restored. This blackout is the third significant outage in Cuba over the past four months, a situation exacerbated by the recent U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has severely affected Cuba's oil supply.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 09:12 UTC)

As of March 17, 2026, state-owned media in Cuba reported that power has been restored to only 2% of Havana's residents, which amounts to about 18,000 customers and a few hospitals, following the third major blackout in just four months. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba stated that there is no information on when power would be fully restored, highlighting that both scheduled and unscheduled outages are a daily reality across the country. Meanwhile, President Trump expressed his views on Cuba, claiming he could do anything he wanted with the nation, which he described as "very weakened," amid ongoing challenges stemming from a recent U.S. operation affecting Cuba's oil supply.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 05:24 UTC)

On March 16, 2026, Cuba experienced a total collapse of its electrical grid, affecting the entire island and its population of approximately 11 million people. By March 17, crews had managed to restore power to about 18,000 customers in Havana and a few hospitals, while the Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed that this was the third major blackout in just four months. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba noted ongoing power outages and indicated that the energy crisis has been exacerbated by the recent U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which significantly impacted Cuba's oil supply.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:45 UTC)

Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Carlos F. de Cossio expressed that U.S. officials must be pleased with the suffering experienced by Cuban families, as President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that the island has not received any oil shipments in over three months. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a total collapse of the electrical grid on March 16, and as of today, crews have managed to restore power to just 2% of Havana's residents, which amounts to around 18,000 customers. In response to the ongoing energy crisis, the Cuban government is introducing new measures to boost the economy, including allowing Cubans living abroad to partner with or own private companies on the island.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:24 UTC)

Today, state-owned media reported that crews have restored power to about 18,000 customers in Havana, which is just 2% of the city's residents, following a major grid collapse on March 16. Tomás David Velázquez Felipe, a local resident, expressed his frustration over the ongoing outages, highlighting the impact on food supplies, while professor William LeoGrande remarked on the extraordinary efforts of technicians trying to keep the energy grid operational. In response to the crisis, the Cuban government is introducing new measures to boost the economy, including allowing Cubans living abroad to partner with or own private companies on the island.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 23:06 UTC)

In a significant policy shift, the Cuban government announced it will allow Cubans living abroad, including those in the U.S., to invest in and own businesses on the island. Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga made this statement, while President Trump commented that "Cuba wants to make a deal," suggesting that negotiations between the two nations could be on the horizon. This development comes in the wake of the U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, which has severely affected Cuba's oil supply and contributed to ongoing energy crises marked by frequent power outages.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 21:08 UTC)

Today, President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuba is engaged in talks with the U.S. government amid an ongoing energy crisis that has forced the postponement of surgeries for tens of thousands of people. This situation follows a massive outage that struck western Cuba nearly a year ago, and recent videos show residents in Havana and other cities protesting by banging pots and pans in a traditional display of dissent. The crisis has been exacerbated by halted oil shipments from Venezuela after the U.S. attacked the country and arrested its president, leaving Cuba struggling to meet its energy demands despite relying on foreign assistance.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 19:25 UTC)

Today, Cuba's electrical grid suffered a total collapse, leaving approximately 11 million people without power. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a complete disconnection of the country's electrical system, following a massive outage that began last Monday and was exacerbated by a lack of oil shipments for over three months. President Trump had previously warned of tariffs on any country providing oil to Cuba, which the island blames for its ongoing energy crisis.