Story perspectives

Cuba Endures Sixth 2026 Nationwide Blackout, Power Restored Partially

8/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cuba suffered its sixth nationwide blackout of 2026, cutting power for up to 30 hours.
UNE said bad weather slowed restoration, though half of Havana and seven provinces had power by midday.
Four Energas Jaruco units and several Havana substations were operating, delivering only 20-minute bursts to 72-year-old Leidis Rodríguez and her 41-year-old daughter.
Cuban officials and Washington offered opposing explanations, blaming the U.S. oil blockade and sanctions versus mismanagement.

History

Historical Context

The 1991 Soviet collapse plunged Cuba into the Special Period, slashing electricity to 1,200 MW—a 30 % drop that left millions without power. Aging plants and fuel imports resurfaced in the October 2024 blackout, when the Antonio Guiteras station failed, cutting output by 1.64 GW. The 2026 outage repeats that pattern, as President Miguel Díaz-Canel blames U.S. sanctions and Venezuelan fuel shortages.

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Story summary

Cuba suffered its sixth nationwide blackout of 2026, cutting power for up to 30 hours.
UNE said bad weather slowed restoration, though half of Havana and seven provinces had power by midday.
Four Energas Jaruco units and several Havana substations were operating, delivering only 20-minute bursts to 72-year-old Leidis Rodríguez and her 41-year-old daughter.
Cuban officials and Washington offered opposing explanations, blaming the U.S. oil blockade and sanctions versus mismanagement.

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