Blackout in Cuba leaves millions without electricity after massive shutdown

A power outage hit western Cuba on Wednesday, leaving millions without power in the latest outage on the island as it faces dwindling oil supplies due to sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump.

The US Embassy in Cuba said at about 12:41 pm, there was a “disruption of the national electricity grid that caused a complete blackout” from Camagüey to Pinar del Río, including the metropolitan area of ​​Havana.

“Cuba’s national electricity supply is increasingly unstable and planned and unplanned blackouts are a daily occurrence throughout the country to include Havana,” the ambassador said.

“Outages affect water, electricity, refrigeration, and communication. Take precautions by saving fuel, water, food, and cell phone costs, and be prepared for major disruptions.”

The incident was reportedly caused by the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric factory, located 62 miles east of Havana.

Local reports indicate that the island may need at least three days to restore operations, according to the Associated Press.

Vicente de la O Levy, the minister of Energy and Mines of Cuba, added that “We are working for the restoration of SEN in the midst of a complex energy situation.”

At least one power plant, Felton 1, remains online, he said.

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on Oct. 6, 2025 in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Reuters reported that, because Cuba is prone to frequent blackouts caused by government-imposed power cuts, some robots and businesses remain operational thanks to solar panels or back-up generators. Many residents have installed solar panels on their homes and cars to maintain electricity amid rising fuel prices, the outlet said.

Cuba has endured a series of widespread blackouts in recent years due to long-standing problems with its aging power infrastructure and chronic fuel shortages.

However, the situation worsened in January after US forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and halted Venezuelan oil exports, choking off an important source of fuel from Cuba.

FILE – Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel walks through the COP28 UN Climate Conference, Saturday, December 2, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in January that, despite the US cutting off Havana’s power lifeline, his administration would not negotiate with Washington for a new deal.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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