Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout following the sudden complete failure of its electrical grid on Monday, temporarily plunging approximately 10 million inhabitants into darkness.
“At 1:54 p.m. local time, the national electrical grid disconnected, causing a total power failure throughout Cuba, including the Havana metropolitan area,” stated the U.S. Embassy in Cuba.
The countrywide power failure occurred only two days after protesters, frustrated by the island’s ongoing energy crisis, were filmed assaulting a local Communist Party headquarters in Cuba, looting the structure and trying to burn it down.
Work to reinstate electrical service is ongoing throughout the island, with indications that power is gradually being restored in certain regions.
“Authorities are examining the causes and initiating restoration protocols,” Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines announced Monday afternoon, in reference to the island’s disrupted National Electrical System.
Cuba’s power grid has become progressively unstable over time because of deteriorating infrastructure, fuel deficits, and economic constraints that have restricted the nation’s access to energy supplies—including Washington’s enduring oil embargo and recent U.S. measures that interrupted Venezuelan fuel deliveries, a crucial energy source for the country.
Electrical blackouts have turned into a regular event nationwide, interrupting water distribution, cooling systems, and telecommunications.
“U.S. government officials must be quite pleased with the damage inflicted upon every Cuban family,” commented Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Carlos F. de Cossio regarding Monday’s power outage.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated Friday that the country has received no fuel imports for the previous three months. Consequently, power production has depended significantly on “substantial input from renewable energy sources.”
The complete grid failure happened precisely as authorities publicized developments in their Villa Clara solar panel initiative, characterizing it as a “national security imperative” given continued limitations on fossil fuel imports during the Trump administration.
“In a situation of acute energy limitations and repeated economic isolation, #Cuba makes another decisive move toward energy independence,” the Villa Clara Electric Company stated Monday morning.
“This development arrives at a crucial moment: Washington continues to impose strict limits on our nation’s access to fossil fuels, financing, and technology. Investing in renewable energy is not merely an environmental choice—it is essential for national security.”
With the island enduring ongoing rotating blackouts, citizens have been advised to prepare for major interruptions and disconnect all non-critical appliances, “keeping only vital equipment operational until power supply becomes stable again,” according to the Villa Clara Electric Company.
This past Saturday, in an uncommon show of public opposition fueled by anger over extensive power failures, anti-government demonstrators in Cuba allegedly attacked a Communist Party office, throwing stones, chanting “freedom,” and starting large blazes at the location.
The demonstration, which was recorded on video, started peacefully in Morón city late Friday but turned violent within several hours, according to Reuters, which referenced local informants.
Digital contacted the White House seeking a statement.
Reuters provided material for this article.