Cuba experiences sixth nationwide blackout amid ongoing energy shortages
A sixth islandwide power outage has left much of Cuba without electricity, as authorities work to restore service following U.S. restrictions on oil supplies.
A sixth nationwide blackout swept across Cuba on Sunday, leaving large parts of the island without electricity and prompting residents to seek shelter on Havana's seaside promenade, the Malecón. The outage coincided with temperatures near 93°F (34°C) and high humidity, intensifying discomfort for those without power.
State-run energy officials confirmed the latest collapse followed previous grid failures in March and July, as well as partial outages in western provinces. Rolling blackouts now can extend beyond 20 hours, disrupting access to gas, basic goods, and refrigeration, and hampering public transportation and hospital operations.
Residents described the impact on daily life. Construction worker Alexey Ríos García said he and others slept on the concrete promenade to escape the heat, using a piece of foam as a pillow. Physical-education teacher Elaine Delis Ramos added that hopes for a stable grid have repeatedly been dashed.
U.S. restrictions on oil shipments to Cuba, implemented in January, have been cited by Cuban authorities as a factor worsening the energy crisis. The country has faced long-standing economic sanctions, and the recent energy disruptions have added pressure to an already strained economy and tourism sector.