Story perspectives

Cuba Faces Nationwide Blackout Amid Oil Import Crisis

3/24/2026

Center

Cuba Faces Blackout

On March 21, 2025, Cuba's power grid collapsed, the third nationwide blackout this month, leaving millions without electricity.
The outage followed failures at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant, worsened by aging infrastructure and a U.S. oil blockade, with Venezuelan shipments halted.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba has not received oil imports for three months, while U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened sanctions and regime change.

Right

Activists Amid Blackouts

Cuba's blackout crisis coincided with a visit by far-left activists protesting U.S. sanctions.
Isra Hirsi, activist, and Hasan Piker, activist, drew criticism for luxurious accommodations while locals faced power outages.
They claimed to deliver aid organized by Mariela Castro and Progressive International.
Analysts say the Cuban government attributes its economic struggles to U.S. sanctions amid discontent and shortages.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for leadership in Havana.

History

Historical Context

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 plunged Cuba into a severe economic crisis, with oil imports dropping by 90% and GDP shrinking by 35%. This "Special Period" led to widespread blackouts and food shortages, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. Today, ongoing energy crises and blackouts reflect these historical challenges, as President Miguel Díaz-Canel faces rising discontent among citizens.

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Cuba Faces Blackout

On March 21, 2025, Cuba's power grid collapsed, the third nationwide blackout this month, leaving millions without electricity.
The outage followed failures at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant, worsened by aging infrastructure and a U.S. oil blockade, with Venezuelan shipments halted.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba has not received oil imports for three months, while U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened sanctions and regime change.

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