Cuba hit by second total power grid collapse in under a week

Cuba's national electricity operator UNE announced Friday that the island's power grid suffered a "total collapse" for the second time in less than a week, plunging millions into darkness as the communist-run country battles chronic fuel shortages and its most severe economic downturn in decades.

Second collapse in days

The Unión Eléctrica Nacional (UNE) reported the failure at 4:30 pm local time (2030GMT) via the social media platform X, stating: "Total collapse of the National Electric System." The operator offered no immediate explanation for the cause of the disconnection, which followed a similar island-wide blackout on July 6 that had already disrupted hospitals, water supplies, and daily commerce.

Economic crisis deepens

Official media reported that the Cuban economy contracted sharply during the first half of 2026, with average daily power outages reaching 20 hours and the electricity deficit climbing to 1,955 megawatts. The persistent energy emergency has exacerbated shortages of basic goods and services, compounding the hardship for residents already struggling with inflation and scarcity of essential imports.

US sanctions pressure

Havana has attributed much of the energy sector's deterioration to tightened US measures, accusing Washington of disrupting oil shipments, pressuring foreign companies that maintain commercial ties with Cuba, and restricting the island's access to international credit and financing. The White House said on May 1 that President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing fresh sanctions on Cuban officials and entities, while a separate directive issued in January established mechanisms to impose tariffs on goods from countries that supply oil to Cuba.