A new nationwide power outage occurred across Cuba last Monday amid an energy crisis deeply affecting the country and intensified by U.S. sanctions aimed at pressuring Cuba to further open its borders.
Foreign news agencies reported that Cuba experienced another nationwide blackout on Monday, 6 July 2026, as the country continues to face an escalating energy crisis worsened by the United States blocking all fuel shipments into the country.
Cuba's Ministry of Energy stated that the national electrical grid had completely collapsed, while the country's power grid operator said it is currently investigating the cause.
Vicente de la O Lebi, the Minister of Energy, said officials are working urgently to restore the power system and have activated an emergency 'Microsystems' to supply electricity to essential and critical service units.
Cuba has faced several nationwide blackouts in recent years due to the country's aging electrical infrastructure struggling to produce enough electricity to meet demand.
The energy crisis worsened this year after the U.S. pressured Cuba’s main oil suppliers to halt shipments following the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a major oil exporter to Cuba. In March, Cuba suffered two nationwide blackouts within the same week.
Last Monday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel posted on the platform X, criticizing the U.S. fuel import blockade, claiming Washington is trying to incite 'social uprising by squeezing the life out of the people.'
Cuba's energy crisis has strained many basic public services, including education, transportation, and healthcare. Additionally, the new U.S. sanctions have further damaged Cuba’s economy and prevented many tourists from visiting the island.
The United States stated that the economic pressure aims to force the Cuban government to open its long-closed political system and allow direct foreign investment.
In June, Cuba's National Assembly approved a broad reform plan aimed at economic liberalization. However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Investment told CNN that these measures were not passed in response to external pressure.
Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department spokesperson described the reforms as merely a 'superficial smoke signal, done perfunctorily and much later than necessary.'
The U.S. has also accused Cuba of allowing Russia and China to establish covert listening stations on the island and obstruct U.S. interests in the region, allegations Cuba has consistently denied.
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Source:CNN