The Electric Union (UNE) declared on Wednesday at 7:00 AM that Cuba's National Electric System had been restored, sharing this brief update on their official Facebook page.
"Cuba at 07:00 hours, National Electric System restored," read the post.
This announcement followed the year's fifth nationwide blackout, which struck on Tuesday at 11:05 AM. The failure was triggered by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín, causing a severe frequency fluctuation that led to the entire national grid's disconnection.
Public Skepticism and Frustration
Despite the announcement, many Cubans reacted with skepticism and sarcasm in the post's comments, as numerous individuals reported a continued lack of power in their neighborhoods.
From Central Havana, a user remarked, "Maybe the power's back at the plants, because here we got hit by the SEN's collapse and we're going on 40 hours without electricity."
Another comment captured the collective exhaustion with a phrase that has become emblematic: "Raise the curtain, lower the curtain."
Widespread Impact Across Cuba
In Alamar, a resident of zone 7 reported being without power since 4:00 AM on Tuesday and questioned, "Don't we have the right to live without the worry of lacking water, of spoiled food?"
The situation in Eastern Cuba was similarly dire: "In Santiago, the power lasted 15 minutes," another user reported.
The disbelief was widespread, spanning from Granma to Havana neighborhoods such as Santos Suárez, El Cotorro, La Lisa, and the city of Santa Clara, with many asking, "What circuits does this restoration cover, because I haven't noticed anything?"
Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Some turned to humor to endure the situation: "They're a meme, those without SENtiments," one person wrote; another quipped, "The SEN and the leaks are the same: 24 out of 72, they might as well be custodians."
The distrust towards official announcements was encapsulated in phrases like "Let's see how long it lasts" or "It doesn't matter, if they turn on the power every 30 hours anyway."
Inquiries on Cuba's Electricity Crisis
What caused the recent nationwide blackout in Cuba?
The blackout was caused by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Felton thermoelectric plant, which led to a severe frequency fluctuation and disconnected the entire national grid.
How did Cubans react to the news of power restoration?
Many Cubans reacted with skepticism and sarcasm, as numerous individuals reported continued power outages in their neighborhoods despite the official announcement of restoration.
How frequent are power outages in Cuba in 2026?
As of 2026, there have been five total system failures and daily power outages averaging between 20 and 24 hours, with some areas experiencing over 72 consecutive hours without electricity.