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Cuba endures repeated nationwide blackouts amid deepening energy crisis
Cuba has suffered a series of widespread power outages in 2026, including a total grid collapse on 2 August that marked the sixth nationwide blackout of the year. A partial failure on 1 August left seven of the island’s 15 provinces, including Havana, without electricity, affecting roughly 4.5 million people. The outages are attributed to aging infrastructure – the national grid depends on seven thermal power plants over 40 years old – and chronic fuel shortages worsened by a U.S. fuel blockade imposed in January 2024. Generation deficits have surged, with a record 2,341 MW shortfall recorded on 8 July against a peak demand of about 3,200 MW, and nine of the sixteen thermal units offline during the latest blackout. Power was gradually restored to Havana and the western provinces early on Sunday, but many Cubans continue to endure prolonged darkness, with blackouts lasting more than 30 hours in some cases. The crisis has heightened tensions between the Cuban government and the United States, each blaming the other for the grid’s dire state.
Entities
Cuba · Cuban government · Donald Trump · Julián González · Natalia Mendoza · Union Electric of Cuba (UNE) · Union Electrica de Cuba (UNE) · United States · Unión Eléctrica de Cuba
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] A partial grid failure on 1 August 2026 left seven provinces without power, affecting about 4.5 million people. combonoticias.com · www.larepublica.ec · www.telesurtv.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] A U.S. fuel blockade imposed by President Donald Trump since January 2024 has limited fuel imports to Cuba. www.tvn-2.com · www.enca.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 2 August total blackout was the sixth nationwide blackout in Cuba in 2026. www.cubaenmiami.com · www.telesurtv.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cuba’s electricity grid relies on seven thermal power plants over 40 years old, many in disrepair. www.enca.com · www.jamaicaobserver.com · www.tvn-2.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Power was restored to Havana and western provinces early Sunday after the failure. www.tvn-2.com · www.enca.com · www.jamaicaobserver.com · www.excelsior.com.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] On 8 July 2026 the generation deficit reached 2,341 MW, with peak demand around 3,200 MW. diariodecuba.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cuba experienced a total nationwide grid disconnection on 2 August 2026. www.telesurtv.net · www.cubaenmiami.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] During the latest blackout, nine of the sixteen thermal generation units were offline due to faults or maintenance. www.larepublica.ec · www.telesurtv.net