Trending Now - Cuba Restores Power After Blackout, Rejects US Oil Blockade

WHO:

President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba

U.S. President Donald Trump

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Cuban national power grid operator, UNE

WHAT:

Cuba partially restored its power grid on March 17th, 2026, after a nationwide blackout lasting more than 29 hours.

The blackout affected approximately 10 million people in Cuba.

The Antonio Guiteras power plant was successfully brought back online by midday on March 17th, 2026.

Trump stated he could do "anything" he wanted with Cuba and referred to the potential takeover as a "big honor."

WHERE:

Cuba, located 90 miles from Florida

Havana, the capital of Cuba

WHEN:

The blackout began on March 16th, 2026, and ended on March 17th, 2026, at 6:11 PM (22:11 GMT).

The U.S. oil blockade on Cuba began in January 2026.

WHY:

The U.S. has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba in response to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of inflicting "collective punishment" on the Cuban people and attempting to overthrow the Cuban government.

HOW:

The Cuban government is gradually restoring electricity to all provinces and cities.

U.S. officials blamed the blackout on the "failing regime's incompetence" of the Cuban government.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 13:27 UTC)

Cuba has partially restored its power grid after a nationwide blackout that lasted over 29 hours, affecting around 10 million people, with the Antonio Guiteras power plant coming back online by midday on March 17. President Trump stated he could do "anything" he wanted with Cuba, referring to the potential takeover as a "big honor," amidst ongoing tensions following the U.S. oil blockade imposed in January in response to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has accused the U.S. of inflicting "collective punishment" on the Cuban people while U.S. officials attributed the blackout to the "failing regime's incompetence" of the Cuban government.