Cuba will experience blackouts that will leave 51% of the country without power during peak evening hours due to a fuel shortage exacerbated by U.S. sanctions.
Cuba is facing severe power shortages as the state electricity company Unión Eléctrica (UNE) announced that more than half of the island will experience blackouts, particularly during the evening when energy consumption spikes. The situation has worsened following the cutoff of foreign oil supplies, primarily from the U.S. and Venezuela, as confirmed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. This lack of fuel is not only affecting power supply but also leading to a broader economic impact, including the implementation of emergency measures by the Cuban government.
In response to the fuel crisis, the Cuban government has announced plans to ration gasoline sales, prioritize remote work, and implement hybrid classes at universities. This is part of an emergency strategy to manage the critical energy situation, which has seen daily and prolonged outages since summer 2024. The state of the country’s thermal power plants, many of which are decades old and poorly maintained, significantly contributes to the ongoing power supply issues, compounded by insufficient foreign exchange reserves needed to purchase necessary fuel.
As the energy crisis continues, the implications for daily life in Cuba are severe, impacting everything from commuting to educational institutions and contributing to widespread frustration among the populace. The government’s measures may provide temporary relief, but the underlying issues of infrastructure decay and external economic pressures highlight the broader challenges facing the Cuban economy and its residents' quality of life.
