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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 3, 2026Miami-Dade

Cuba experiences sixth nationwide blackout of the year amid energy grid instability

Cuba is facing its sixth islandwide power grid collapse this year, leaving residents without electricity for over 20 hours a day. The outages are attributed to severe fuel shortages following U.S. sanctions that restrict oil imports to the island.

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Why It Matters

The recurring power failures have disrupted basic services including public transportation, food refrigeration, and hospital operations, forcing residents to sleep outdoors to cope with extreme heat.

Key Facts

  • This is the sixth islandwide blackout in Cuba during the current calendar year.
  • Rolling blackouts now last more than 20 hours per day.
  • The energy grid experienced two nationwide collapses in March and three in July.
  • Temperatures reached 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius) on the day of the latest blackout, with a heat index of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • U.S. sanctions have effectively cut off Cuba from its primary energy source, oil.
  • Public transportation in Havana has effectively collapsed due to fuel shortages.
  • Hospitals are attempting to install solar panels to maintain operations during grid failures.
  • The Cuban tourism industry has experienced a significant decline in activity.

Who's Mentioned

organizationTrump administration“Cited as the administration that initiated the current oil import restrictions.”locationHavana“Capital city of Cuba experiencing widespread outages.”locationPinar del Río“City in western Cuba affected by sweeping outages.”personAlexey Ríos García“A 30-year-old construction worker interviewed about sleeping on the Malecón.”locationMatanzas“City in western Cuba affected by sweeping outages.”personElaine Delis Ramos“A 30-year-old physical education teacher interviewed about the power outages.”