Cuba Faces Massive Blackouts and Nationwide Protests on July 26 Rebellion Day
On the eve of the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada assault, Cuba experienced an unprecedented electrical crisis. The Electric Union reported a 24‑hour outage affecting all provinces on July 24, with a peak shortage of 2,315 MW and a projected 2,160 MW shortfall on July 25, while demand stood at 3,200 MW and only 1,070 MW was available. Five thermal plants (Máximo Gómez, Ernesto Guevara, Diez de Octubre, Lidio Ramón Pérez and Antonio Maceo) were offline, and 106 distributed‑generation units were shut down for lack of fuel.
Amid the darkness, activists organized a nationwide "cacerolazo" (pot‑banging protest) on July 24‑25. Residents in Havana neighbourhoods Lawton, La Lisa, San Agustín and La Coronela, as well as in Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos, sounded pots and fire‑extinguishers to demand the restoration of electricity and water services. The Cuban government briefly restored power in several districts, an action described by activists as an attempt to quash the protests.
International solidarity actions marked the day as well. Demonstrations were held on Germany’s Zugspitze, at France’s Eiffel Tower, in Brazil’s capital, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina, among other locations, where groups of activists, trade unions and political parties voiced support for Cuba and condemned the U.S. embargo. Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel opened the official celebrations in Pinar del Río, denouncing what he called a “genocidal” U.S. policy and urging unity across the region.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The United States blockade has intensified, affecting electricity, water, medicines and other essential supplies in Cuba. (Various activist and government statements)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Cuban Resistance Assembly called July 24 a National Day of Protest and urged a cacerolazo to demand restored services. (Assembly of the Cuban Resistance)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Miguel Díaz‑Canel opened the official Dia de la Rebeldia celebrations in Pinar del Río and condemned U.S. policies as genocidal. (Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout on July 24‑25 2026 with a peak shortage of 2,315 MW and a projected shortfall of 2,160 MW on July 25, while demand was 3,200 MW and only 1,070 MW was available. (National Electric Union)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Five thermal power plants – Máximo Gómez, Ernesto Guevara, Diez de Octubre, Lidio Ramón Pérez and Antonio Maceo – were offline during the blackout. (National Electric Union)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Protesters in Havana neighbourhoods Lawton, La Lisa, San Agustín and La Coronela sounded pots and fire‑extinguishers on the night of July 24‑25 calling for restoration of electricity and water. (Independent media reports and activist accounts)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Only one fuel tanker has reached Cuba in the six‑month period, limiting fuel for power generation. (National Electric Union)
- [● 4 SOURCES] International solidarity rallies for Cuba were held on Germany’s Zugspitze, France’s Eiffel Tower, in Brazil’s capital and Buenos Aires, among other locations. (Various activist groups)