Cuba Begins Recovery After Third National Power Outage This Month

The latest blackout left millions without electricity across the island nation.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:07pm

Cuba began restoring its power grid on Sunday after a nationwide collapse on Saturday evening that left millions of people without electricity across the island nation. This was the third major power outage in Cuba this month, raising concerns about the country's aging and unreliable electrical infrastructure.

Why it matters

Power outages have become increasingly common in Cuba in recent years due to a lack of investment in the country's electrical grid, which relies heavily on aging and inefficient power plants. These blackouts disrupt daily life, impact the economy, and highlight Cuba's struggles to maintain basic services for its citizens.

The details

The latest outage occurred on Saturday afternoon and lasted well into the night, affecting the entire national power grid. Authorities said they were working to restore service, but did not provide a timeline for when full power would be restored across the country.

  • The power outage began on Saturday afternoon and lasted into the night.
  • This was the third major nationwide blackout in Cuba so far this month.

The players

Cuba

The island nation that experienced the widespread power outage.

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The takeaway

The repeated power failures in Cuba highlight the country's aging and unreliable electrical infrastructure, which has struggled to keep up with demand and investment needs. Resolving these issues will be crucial for improving the daily lives of Cuban citizens and the overall economy.