On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Havana released a security alert to American citizens following a widespread power outage that left the entire island of Cuba without electricity starting at 9:14 AM. This advisory cautions U.S. residents on the island, as well as those planning to visit, about the potential dangers associated with the lack of electricity, internet, and mobile phone service.
The embassy urged individuals to prepare ahead of time and stay informed through local news outlets, as by 1:00 PM there was still no estimate for when the power might be restored. This collapse of the electrical system comes amid growing instability. The consular office reminded that since October 2024, Cubans have been dealing with increasingly frequent and prolonged blackouts, both scheduled and unscheduled, disrupting daily life across the country.
Although many hotels, hospitals, and institutions are equipped with generators, the alert noted that these are not a long-term solution due to the unpredictable availability of fuel. If the power outage continues, essential services could face paralysis.
"The power grid remains fragile, with additional outages occurring more frequently and lasting longer. Scheduled electricity cuts happen daily, and unscheduled outages persist across Cuba," the consular site reported.
Cuba's energy crisis poses a risk not only to the local population but also to foreign visitors. The lack of reliable electricity impacts all sectors, including transportation, commerce, telecommunications, and tourism, in a nation already facing a severe economic crisis.
The U.S. Embassy's warning highlights the international distrust in the Cuban regime's ability to maintain basic services. While local authorities investigate the cause of the failure, the island remains in the grip of a general blackout that further exposes its energy infrastructure's frailty.
This latest outage marks the fifth nationwide blackout in less than a year, starkly illustrating the National Electric System's (SEN) vulnerability and the regime's inability to resolve a crisis that affects millions of lives daily.
This new blackout occurred just two days after another major incident primarily affecting the eastern part of the country. On September 7, a failure in the 220 kV Nuevitas-Tunas line led to a total disconnection of the power system from Las Tunas to Guantánamo, leaving millions of Cubans without service.
FAQs About the Cuban Power Crisis
What caused the recent power outage in Cuba?
The recent power outage was caused by a failure in one of Cuba's major power plants, leading to a nationwide blackout.
How frequently are power outages occurring in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba have become increasingly frequent and prolonged, with both scheduled and unscheduled blackouts occurring regularly.
How does the power crisis affect daily life in Cuba?
The power crisis disrupts essential services and sectors such as transportation, commerce, telecommunications, and tourism, severely impacting daily life.