Power Outage Sweeps Across Cuba, Leaving Millions Without Electricity

A widespread power outage struck Cuba on Saturday, leaving large portions of the island without electricity and prompting officials to warn that restoration could take hours as crews work to stabilize the national grid. The blackout, which began in the early afternoon, affected multiple provinces and caused disruptions to transportation, communications and basic services.

Cuba’s state-run electrical authority said the outage was triggered by a failure in the country’s aging generation system, though officials did not immediately specify which plants were involved. The loss of power cascaded through the grid, forcing automatic shutdowns and leaving entire regions dark. Residents reported losing electricity with no warning, and social media posts showed long lines forming at gas stations and markets as people sought supplies.

The blackout comes amid ongoing strain on Cuba’s electrical infrastructure, which has suffered repeated failures in recent years due to fuel shortages, maintenance delays and decades-old equipment. Several of the island’s major thermoelectric plants have been operating at reduced capacity, and officials have acknowledged that the system remains vulnerable to sudden disruptions.

Transportation services were also affected. Havana’s public transit system experienced delays as traffic lights went dark, and some hospitals switched to backup generators to maintain critical operations. Internet connectivity slowed across the island, with several mobile networks reporting intermittent service.

Government officials urged calm and said crews were working to restore power “as quickly as possible.” They did not provide an estimated timeline for full recovery. Residents in several provinces reported partial restoration by early evening, though large areas remained without electricity.

The outage underscores the challenges facing Cuba’s electrical grid as the country continues to grapple with economic pressures and limited access to replacement parts. Officials have previously warned that blackouts may persist until major upgrades can be completed.

As with any breaking international report, you should confirm details with a trusted news source, since information may evolve as officials release updates.