Cuba has reported its second nationwide blackout in less than a week, plunging the island into darkness shortly before evening on July 10, 2026. The state-owned utility, Union Electrica de Cuba, announced that the outage began at 4:30 pm local time (20:30 GMT).
The island's power grid, much of which dates back to the Cold War period between 1960 and 1980, is under significant strain. Cuba produces only 40 percent of the oil it consumes, according to the International Energy Agency's 2023 data. Renewable energy sources accounted for about 18 percent of Cuba's overall energy consumption as of 2022.
The ongoing fuel restrictions imposed since early 2026, along with tightened extraterritorial sanctions, have been cited as directly harming Cubans, particularly the most vulnerable. These measures are linked to a de facto oil blockade placed on the island by US President Donald Trump.
This blackout marks the third nationwide power outage Cuba has experienced in six months and the third this year. At the United Nations, Cuba has rallied support against what it describes as a "ruthless" US blockade.
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