Cuba has been hit with a massive blackout after one of its key power plants, the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant, failed, completely disconnecting the National Electrical System as of 11 a.m. ET today. This has left the entire island, home to 10 million people, without electricity. The streets of Havana are particularly affected, with motorists struggling to navigate due to non-functional street lights and scarce generators.
This isn’t the first time Cuba has experienced a widespread blackout. In fact, just two months ago, millions were left without power for 14 hours or more after six power plants went offline. The Cuban government has been warning residents about potential blackouts due to fuel shortages, and local authorities have implemented power restrictions on educational institutions, state-run companies, and sporting events.
The situation is dire, with seven of the eight thermoelectric plants that supply energy to Cuba currently broken or under maintenance, and 37 power generation plants out of service due to lack of fuel. President Miguel DĂaz-Canel has assured that solving the problem is a top priority, but no timeline has been given for when power will be restored.
Cuba’s economic struggles, exacerbated by US sanctions, have contributed to the country’s energy crisis. Fuel imports from Venezuela have decreased significantly, from 80,000 barrels per day in 2020 to 55,000 in 2023, forcing Cuba to seek alternative suppliers like Mexico and Russia.
The blackout is also happening against the backdrop of a historic immigration wave, with nearly 425,000 Cubans encountered at US ports of entry last year and in 2022, surpassing the numbers seen during the Freedom Flights between 1965 and 1973.