In Cuba, millions of people were left without electricity. The country is dealing with an American blockade.
In September 2026, Cuba experienced another widespread power outage affecting millions of people, exacerbated by the ongoing US embargo on fuel supplies. The Cuban Ministry of Energy reported that the electrical grid had completely shut down, though partial restoration occurred later in the day, prioritizing areas like hospitals and water pumps in Havana. This marks at least the sixth partial or complete blackout this year, as Cuba struggles with aging infrastructure and chronic fuel shortages caused by American sanctions. The crisis has led to severe disruptions, including water shortages, lack of cooking gas, and difficulties in hospital operations. Schools and government offices have also begun closing. Cubans blame the United States for the crisis, citing additional sanctions imposed in August. Previously, Venezuela was Cuba’s main oil supplier, but US actions against Venezuela, including the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, disrupted this supply. The US has also threatened sanctions against other countries supplying fuel to Cuba.
Cuban authorities confirmed on Friday that the entire electricity grid on the island collapsed, leaving approximately nine million residents without power. According to the Cuban Ministry of Energy, the blackout affected the entire country, marking the latest severe disruption to the nation’s energy supply. The collapse followed weeks of growing concerns over chronic fuel shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. Reports from Reuters indicate that Cuba has long struggled with these issues, compounded by the United States' embargo on oil shipments. The country relies heavily on imported fuel, and the restrictions have worsened existing supply problems. The recent blackout is described as the seventh such incident this year, with frequent rolling blackouts even when parts of the grid remain operational. Initial details about the cause of the blackout remained unclear, with the ministry providing little information on when services might resume. However, the grid operator, UNE, later stated that the outage began shortly before 2 p.m. local time on Friday, caused by technical difficulties combined with adverse weather conditions in central Cuba. A protocol for “gradual restoration” of power was initiated, though the process continued into Saturday. In Havana, some essential services were prioritized for early restoration, including hospitals and water pumping stations. Despite these efforts, many residents faced prolonged periods without electricity. A 78-year-old man, Francisco Rodríguez, reported being without power for 28 hours and expressed fear of remaining in darkness for several more days. Similarly, a 36-year-old teacher, Lidia Fernández, described the situation as increasingly unbearable, noting the lack of basic necessities such as water, gas for cooking, and electricity. The crisis has led to frustration among Cubans, with some expressing concern over the government’s ability to manage the situation. While unauthorized protests are illegal and carry risks of punishment, the frequency of blackouts has sparked public discontent. Havana has pointed to the U.S. government as a primary cause of the fuel shortage, blaming both longstanding sanctions and newly imposed measures introduced in August. These sanctions have reportedly disrupted Cuba’s access to alternative suppliers, particularly Venezuela, which previously supplied up to 35,000 barrels of oil per day, about half of Cuba’s needs. Following the U.S.-led intervention in Venezuela, which included the detention of President Nicolás Maduro, Cuba lost a key supplier. The impact extends beyond energy, affecting food and medical supplies. Hospitals have struggled to maintain operations, while schools and government offices have had to close temporarily. Residents have voiced increasing despair, with some questioning how the population continues to endure such hardships. As the restoration process unfolds, the challenge remains whether Cuba can stabilize its energy system amid ongoing external pressures and internal resource limitations.
In September 2026, Cuba experienced another widespread power outage affecting millions of people, exacerbated by the ongoing US embargo on fuel supplies. The Cuban Ministry of Energy reported that the electrical grid had completely shut down, though partial restoration occurred later in the day, prioritizing areas like hospitals and water pumps in Havana. This marks at least the sixth partial or complete blackout this year, as Cuba struggles with aging infrastructure and chronic fuel shortages caused by American sanctions. The crisis has led to severe disruptions, including water shortages, lack of cooking gas, and difficulties in hospital operations. Schools and government offices have also begun closing. Cubans blame the United States for the crisis, citing additional sanctions imposed in August. Previously, Venezuela was Cuba’s main oil supplier, but US actions against Venezuela, including the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, disrupted this supply. The US has also threatened sanctions against other countries supplying fuel to Cuba.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a direct result of US sanctions and emphasizes the humanitarian impact on Cuba, using quotes from Cuban citizens and highlighting the role of American policies. It does not present alternative perspectives or counterarguments from the US side, nor does it provideU
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the power outage affecting millions in Cuba and attributes it to US sanctions blocking fuel imports. It cites the Cuban Ministry of Energy and mentions the partial restoration of electricity, as well as the sixth such blackout this year. The information aligns with the
Why objectivity (70): The article presents the situation from a perspective that emphasizes the impact of US sanctions, using quotes from Cubans affected by the crisis. While it provides factual reporting, the framing leans toward highlighting the negative effects of US policy, which introduces a degree of bias rather th
The electricity grid on Cuba experienced a complete collapse today, according to the Cuban Ministry of Energy, leaving approximately nine million residents without power. The situation is attributed to longstanding issues including fuel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited access to oil. Reports from Reuters indicate that the country has faced significant challenges with frequent and recurring power outages affecting millions. The ministry has not provided specific details regarding the cause of the latest blackout or when normal electricity supply is expected to resume.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a critical infrastructure failure in Cuba without overtly criticizing or praising the government. It references official reports and external news agency (Reuters) without taking a clear ideological stance. While the issue is politically sensitive dueto
Why factuality (75): The article reports on a power outage affecting nine million Cubans, citing the Cuban Ministry of Energy and corroborating reports from Reuters about ongoing energy issues due to fuel shortages and infrastructure problems. It aligns with cross-source consensus but lacks specific details on the cause
Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat alarmist, emphasizing the severity of the situation without providing balanced context or alternative perspectives. The focus on the impact on millions of people leans toward a more dramatic narrative rather than presenting a neutral account.
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