Overview
- Unión Eléctrica de Cuba said a “complete block” of the national grid caused a total disconnection, with step-by-step restoration in progress and no definitive cause yet identified.
- Power cutoffs struck Havana and multiple provinces after abrupt fluctuations, according to residents, independent local outlets and CNN.
- Protests broke out in Morón in Ciego de Ávila, where several people were arrested and security forces were deployed.
- This is the first full grid collapse reported in 2026, following a March 4 failure at the Antonio Guiteras plant that knocked out power to about two-thirds of the country.
- Coverage links the crisis to chronic generation shortfalls and fuel scarcity connected to U.S. sanctions, with U.S. President Donald Trump quoted in political commentary related to the blackout.