[REVISION HISTORY]

Cuba power, healthcare, and economic crisis deepens

Updated 24 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-28 15:55 UTC → 2026-08-31 17:22 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The electricity shortfall that began with the July 2024 shutdown of Unit 1 at the Antonio Guiteras plant has continued to worsen. By mid‑July 2026, the state utility UNE reported a generation deficit of about 2,260 MW during peak demand. The crisis intensified through July, with a record 2,341 MW shortfall recorded on 8 July. A partial failure on 1 August left seven provinces, including Havana, without electricity, followed by a total grid collapse on 2 August—the sixth nationwide blackout of the year. While the government blames U.S. sanctions and exhausted fuel shipments, Washington cites mismanagement. By early August, the crisis reached new extremes with a record 2,411 MW shortage on August 5. By mid-August, the crisis expanded to include shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. In Santiago de Cuba, persistent blackouts have fueled a local ice trade as residents struggle to preserve food. Missionary Adam Czerwiński reported that daily life has become a “struggle for survival,” noting that food spoilage is rapid due to high temperatures and fuel shortages have paralyzed transportation. To assist, the San Antonio María Claret parish launched the ‘Kitchen for the Needy’ project with support from Caritas Polska. On 27 August, a major electrical disruption caused by high-voltage transmission line oscillation left approximately 3.4 million people in eastern provinces, from Holguín to Guantánamo, without power. This marked the seventh major disconnection of the National Electric System in 2026. ~~Despite these disruptions,~~ By the ~~government announced~~ end of August, the ~~school year will begin on 1 September, with flexible policies for hours~~ crisis evolved into a multifaceted shortage of potable water, cooking gas, and ~~uniforms to accommodate~~ medicine. Authorities admitted the country cannot import enough medicine to meet demand, citing energy ~~shortage.~~ blockades and U.S. executive orders. In rural areas like Bermejal, residents have engaged in protests to demand the restoration of water and electricity services.

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