Story perspectives

Cuba Faces Nationwide Power Outage Affecting 10 Million

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cuba's power grid collapsed on Saturday, causing a nationwide outage that affected about 10 million people.
The outage followed the failure of a major power plant in Nuevitas.
Recovery efforts began as microsystems were established to restore power to essential services.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged the recovery's complexity.
Officials say the U.S. oil blockade intensified by President Donald Trump worsens Cuba's energy crisis caused by aging infrastructure.

History

Historical Context

Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Cuba faced a severe energy crisis, losing 80% of its oil supply and entering a period known as the Special Period, marked by economic hardship and blackouts. Today, a nationwide outage affecting 10 million people reflects ongoing struggles with energy independence, exacerbated by the U.S. embargo intensified under President Trump, highlighting Cuba's persistent infrastructure challenges.

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Story summary

Cuba's power grid collapsed on Saturday, causing a nationwide outage that affected about 10 million people.
The outage followed the failure of a major power plant in Nuevitas.
Recovery efforts began as microsystems were established to restore power to essential services.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged the recovery's complexity.
Officials say the U.S. oil blockade intensified by President Donald Trump worsens Cuba's energy crisis caused by aging infrastructure.

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