Overview
- The Energy and Mines Ministry reported a total disconnection around 6:40 p.m. local time and said restoration protocols were underway, marking the second national outage in under a week and the seventh in 18 months.
- Chronic fuel shortages have idled distributed generators since January and, according to local reporting, no fuel tankers have arrived since Jan. 9, triggering gasoline rationing, suspended diesel sales, and cuts to some hospital services.
- Officials describe the power sector as facing its most complex scenario in decades, affirming a right to import fuel while warning of external obstacles and seizure risks for vessels bound for Cuba.
- Recovery requires energizing small solar, hydro, and engine sources to progressively restart large thermoelectric plants, a step-by-step process that can take days.
- The shortages are straining public services and food transport, with long daily outages reported in Havana and fresh protests noted in several cities.