Islandwide Blackout in Cuba, Amid US Oil Blockade
The island nation of Cuba is struggling to maintain the reliability of its power grid, and has suffered a “total collapse,” according to reports.
The flow of oil into Cuba has effectively been shut down due to US military actions in Venezuela, the accompanying seizures of oil tankers, and the threats of tariffs on Mexico. This is triggering a moment of economic uncertainty for Cuba not seen perhaps since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Cuba relied on Mexico and Venezuela to sell them oil, and a series of problems ranging from mechanical failures, weather and embargo-related parts shortages have led to lasting power grid instability that stretches back to February 2024.
The two years of electricity shortages have caused an accompanying drop in tourism, and now with this latest report of total power loss, people have taken to the streets in riots, according to reports.
About the Author
Jeff Postelwait
Managing Editor
Jeff Postelwait is a writer and editor with a background in newspapers and online editing who has been writing about the electric utility industry since 2008. Jeff is senior editor for T&D World magazine and sits on the advisory board of the T&D World Conference and Exhibition. Utility Products, Power Engineering, Powergrid International and Electric Light & Power are some of the other publications in which Jeff's work has been featured. Jeff received his degree in journalism news editing from Oklahoma State University and currently operates out of Oregon.