Half of Cuba returns to darkness after another major blackout on the communist island

Nearly half of Cuba's population was plunged into darkness after a major power outage struck the island, leaving seven provinces, including the capital Havana, without electricity.

The nationwide blackout occurred Saturday evening due to a partial failure in the National Electrical System, specifically involving transmission lines between Pinar del Río and the Cienfuegos-Matanzas corridor. The disruption affected roughly 4.5 million people, with technicians working to restore service.

This latest outage highlights Cuba's ongoing and severe energy crisis. The nation grapples with aging generation and transmission infrastructure, persistent fuel shortages, and challenges in importing necessary hydrocarbons. These issues are compounded by a prolonged economic crisis that has gripped the island for the past five years.

Residents express exhaustion from the constant power interruptions, especially during recent heatwaves. "I spent the whole night awake, I didn't sleep a wink because of the heat, the mosquitoes," said Natalia Mendoza, 66, in Havana. She described fanning her three grandchildren all night to help them sleep.

The Cuban government often attributes these energy problems to the U.S. economic embargo. However, specialists also point to the deterioration of thermoelectric power plants, many of which are over 40 years old, and a lack of investment in the electrical system. This year alone, Cuba has experienced five widespread blackouts, with three occurring in July within a span of less than ten days, underscoring the worsening energy crisis.

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I spent the whole night awake, I didn't sleep a wink because of the heat, the mosquitoes.