HAVANA – It feels like a heavy blanket of darkness is settling over Cuba each night, and it’s not just because of a power outage. The island is facing a really serious energy crisis that’s causing widespread blackouts, making everyday life tough, and raising worries that the country might be in danger of falling apart. 

These outages, whether planned or not, are just a sign of a country dealing with a lot of problems, like a bad economy, old and broken infrastructure, and growing unrest.

Hey, have you heard about those blackouts, or “apagones” as Cubans say? Well, in the provinces outside of the capital, they can last for 12, 18, or even longer each day! It’s a real challenge, especially since businesses are closed, food spoils quickly because it’s hard to keep it cool, and the Caribbean heat is already intense.

It’s already a tough situation for everyone, and these blackouts really put them to the test, sometimes even causing people to express their frustration openly.

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Grid Failure: Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with daily blackouts lasting over 12 hours in many regions due to an aging power grid and critical fuel shortages.
  • Economic Roots: The power crisis is a symptom of a deeper economic collapse, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the pandemic, U.S. sanctions, and internal inefficiencies.
• Fueling Protests: The constant “apagones” (blackouts) have become a flashpoint for public anger, triggering some of the most significant anti-government protests in recent years.
• Government Under Pressure: The Cuban government, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, is struggling to manage the crisis, often blaming U.S. sanctions while facing growing domestic dissent.

Nationwide Blackouts Stoke Public Anger

The ongoing power outages have become a stark reminder of the growing difficulties in Cuba. In cities like Santiago and Bayamo, thousands have joined the protests, shouting slogans like “¡Corriente y comida!” (“Power and food!”), which clearly connects the energy issues to the widespread food shortages affecting the country.

These demonstrations are really important, especially since those big protests back in July 2021. The government is saying they’re listening and promising things, but they’re also keeping a lot of security around.

They’re saying they get what people are upset about, but they’re also warning about what they think are “destabilization” moves coming from the United States.

‘Apagones’ Become a Flashpoint

For everyday Cubans, the situation is really tough. Without electricity, the water pumps don’t work, so homes are left without water for days. Plus, medicines that need to be kept cold go bad, and it’s a real struggle to cook or charge a phone.

“You can’t really live like this,” one resident shared with reporters, keeping their identity a secret. “It’s not just about the hassle. It’s like everything’s crumbling around you, and you’re not seeing any way out.” The stress and financial struggles are making things super tense, as international news outlets like Reuters have been reporting on the recent unrest.

The Anatomy of a Grid Collapse

Cuba’s electrical grid is in a bit of a tough spot, relying on some older thermoelectric plants that were built way back in the day. Unión Eléctrica, the government’s electricity company, has actually said they don’t have enough money to keep everything running smoothly and make it modern.

The crisis has two primary drivers:

1. Fuel Shortages: Cuba relies heavily on imported crude oil to run its power plants. Supplies from key ally Venezuela have dwindled, and the country lacks the hard currency to purchase fuel on the international market. Tough U.S. sanctions complicate these transactions, severely restricting the island’s access to energy and financing.
2. Aging Infrastructure: The power plants frequently break down. Even when fuel is available, the system often lacks the capacity to meet demand, forcing the government to implement “planned” blackouts to prevent a total grid collapse.

This situation is a direct result of the island’s dire economic condition. An analysis by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) highlights how the combination of the U.S. embargo, the collapse of tourism during the pandemic, and failed domestic economic policies has left the state bankrupt and unable to maintain essential services.

Government Response Under Pressure

President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s administration is caught in an impossible position. Officials regularly provide updates on the energy deficit and the status of plant repairs, often blaming the “genocidal” U.S. embargo for the country’s woes.

While the sanctions undoubtedly have a severe impact, critics and many Cubans point to decades of internal mismanagement and a lack of economic reform as core contributors to the decay. As reported by the BBC, the government has sought assistance from allies like Russia and Mexico for fuel and technical support, but these have been temporary fixes for a deep, systemic problem.

With no easy solutions available, the Cuban government faces a profound crisis of legitimacy. Each blackout further erodes public trust and raises the question of how much more pressure the system can withstand before it breaks entirely.

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