Cuba faces nationwide power outages

2026-03-17 09:17:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Cuba's government said it is investigating a "complete blackout" of the country's electrical grid. This comes as the Trump administration is blocking Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba.

The Cuban government announced on Monday (16.03.2026) that the Latin American island country has been hit by a nationwide power outage.

The Ministry of Energy and Mining said there was a "complete disconnection" from the electricity grid. "The causes are being investigated and protocols are being activated to restore supply," the ministry posted on X.

Why is Cuba experiencing power outages?

Cuba has suffered long power outages as the administration of US President Donald Trump blocks oil shipments from Venezuela to the island. Venezuela has been Cuba's main oil supplier.

The U.S. operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January was a major blow to the Cuban government. Since then, Trump has backed acting President Delcy Rodríguez and oil supplies to Cuba have been cut off.

In addition, Trump has vowed to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. Mexico and Russia are two of Cuba's other oil suppliers.

On Friday (03/13/2026), Cuba experienced a violent protest amid power outages and high food prices, with protesters attacking and destroying a building belonging to the ruling Communist Party.

Cuba's President: Island hasn't received oil shipments for more than three months

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Friday that Cuba has not received oil shipments for three months and that the country is forced to rely on solar energy, natural gas and thermal power plants. Díaz-Canel also added that Cuba has held talks with the United States regarding its energy and economic crisis.

Just days after the talks began, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga told NBC News on Monday that Cuba plans to allow Cubans living abroad to invest and own businesses in Cuba. This policy change would also include Cubans living in the United States.

Trump has previously suggested that regime change in Cuba could be the next step after the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.

The US president told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (15.03.2026) that Cuba "wants to make a deal, and I think soon we will either make a deal, or we will do whatever we have to do."/ DW