Cuban officials are endeavoring to restore electricity across the island following the second nationwide outage within a week, as the power grid falters due to outdated infrastructure coupled with a US oil embargo.
Certain areas in Havana have begun to receive electricity again, while others remain without power, just a day after the energy ministry declared a “total disconnection” of the national electrical system for the nearly 10 million residents of the country.
A gas power facility near Havana, another near the tourist destination of Varadero, and a hydroelectric plant located in central Cuba have resumed operations, as reported by energy and mining minister Vicente de la O Levy on X.
Additionally, a unit of one thermoelectric plant is operational once more.
Since 2024, the nation has experienced seven nationwide outages, exacerbating the challenges faced by Cubans who are worried about food spoilage in their refrigerators among other issues in a nation grappling with an economic crisis.
The disruptions have worsened following the capture of Venezuela’s socialist president Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s primary ally and oil provider, in a US military action in January.
US President Donald Trump has issued warnings about imposing tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba.
No oil has been brought into the island since January 9, crippling the power sector and forcing airlines to reduce their flights to the island, which significantly impacts the vital tourism industry.
The recent blackout was attributed to an outage in one of the generating units at the country’s eight thermoelectric plants, which set off a chain reaction within the power system, according to officials.
The blackouts, alongside ongoing shortages of essential goods like food and medicine, are fueling public discontent. In an unusual instance of unrest, protesters vandalized a local office of the Cuban Communist Party last weekend.
The latest outage coincided with the arrival of an international aid convoy this week, bringing desperately needed medical supplies, food, water, and solar panels to the Caribbean nation.