Cuba’s Grid Fails as US Oil Blockade Sparks Islandwide Blackouts
Cuba faces nationwide blackouts amid US oil blockade NewsFeed Cuba’s national power grid has collapsed amid an ongoing US-imposed oil blockade, causing blackouts across the country. Cuba has not received oil shipments since early January. Published On 17 Mar 2026
Cuba’s national power grid collapsed, leaving the island facing widespread blackouts amid an ongoing U.S.-imposed oil blockade. Officials say the country has not received oil shipments since early January, forcing authorities to ration fuel and struggle to keep electricity generation running. As a result, outages have spread across multiple provinces, disrupting homes, businesses and public services.
Scenes of daily life have been affected: a street vendor served a customer on Havana’s Malecón during a blackout on March 16, 2026, illustrating the immediate impact on commerce and ordinary routines (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa).
Authorities have warned that the lack of fuel for power plants and backup generators complicates efforts to restore reliable service. The blockade, which has halted regular oil deliveries, is being cited as the central cause of the energy crisis. Officials are working to manage rolling outages and maintain critical infrastructure while seeking alternative fuel sources and contingency measures.
Published On 17 Mar 2026
NewsFeed
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