Cuba is Running Out of Power—and Almost Everything Else With It
Cuba’s electricity grid collapsed once again on September 18, 2026, leaving millions without power. Most of Havana remained dark through the evening, except for a few areas near hospitals like Calixto García and the Diez de Octubre teaching hospital, though even those have lost power at times, Havana Times reported. By now, blackouts are no longer unusual in Cuba.
This was the sixth major grid failure since January. Even when the national grid stays up, many Cubans still go without power for hours at a time, since the government schedules rolling outages, some lasting more than a full day.
The immediate issue is fuel. The immediate issue is fuel. Last year Cuba produced about 40,000 barrels of oil a day, according to Cupet, the state oil company, but that meets only about a third of the country’s fuel needs, Havana Times reported. It has relied on countries like Venezuela, Russia and Mexico to make up the difference.
Those deliveries stopped after the Trump administration began threatening tariffs against countries that supplied Cuba with oil. The United States says it is trying to pressure Cuba’s government to free political prisoners and make political and economic changes, as stated by NewStation.
The problem is that the pressure is not only on government officials. It reaches people trying to cook dinner, commute to work, or keep medicine cold. United Nations experts described the policy as “energy starvation” and warned it violates basic rights, according to Reuters.
“I think it puts more pressure on Cuba because the country is already in a terrible position. The restrictions make it seem like Cuba has no other choice,” said junior at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, Maikel Legra.
Cuba’s government blames the U.S. for most of what is happening. The sanctions have clearly made it harder to purchase fuel and equipment, but it’s not the whole story. Cuba’s power plants are outdated, have had repairs delayed, and currently lack funding from the government for the electrical system.
Cuba’s economy was already struggling before the latest restrictions. Tourism never actually recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, prices continued to rise, and many workers left the country. Now a shortage of fuel has added to these existing problems.
In Cuba, losing electricity can mean losing water. Pumps require power, and the trucks that transport the water need diesel. The Associated Press reports that nearly three million people are suffering due to water shortages each day in Cuba.
When the water comes back, people fill up buckets and bottles because they don’t know when it will disappear again. Something considered simple, such as washing clothes or taking a shower, can turn into hours of waiting.
“I feel like everyday life would be a lot harder without electricity. Basic things I do would become more difficult, like taking a shower and washing my hair,” said sophomore Joyce-Ann Rodriguez.
Food has also become yet another daily struggle. Farmers need fuel for tractors, irrigation systems, and delivery vehicles. The Associated Press reported that many farmers are struggling to grow and deliver enough food to markets. Subsequently, families face another problem when they bring that food home.
Prolonged blackouts mean meat, milk, and other products can’t be kept cold. That means people can wait hours in lines for food, only for it to spoil in the refrigerator.
Cuba’s health care system used to be one of the government’s greatest sources of pride. It is now battling shortages of medicine and basic supplies. Hospitals have reported missing syringes, gauze, vaccines, and anesthetics.
Some hospitals lack the parts to repair CT scanners or dialysis machines, and many have lost the specialists who knew how to fix them. Medical specialists and technicians have left the country in large numbers, according to the Los Angeles Times. While patients technically have access to free health care, they may not be able to receive the proper treatment due to the crisis.
Schools face similar shortages. Students returned in September, but some buses were still not operational due to fuel shortages.
According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 1.4 million students returned to school this year. And for many of them, the first problem is simply getting to class. Another was staying focused in a hot classroom with no lights or fans.
The situation has prompted some Cubans to take to the streets demanding electricity, food, and water. The government has cracked down on past protests with arrests, making public criticism risky. But even then, that hasn’t stopped frustration from growing.
It would be easy to put all the faults to one side. The U.S. is deliberately cutting Cuba’s access to fuel, knowing that ordinary people will feel the impacts. Cuba’s government also has allowed its infrastructure and economy to reach this point while continuing to avoid responsibility.
For most Cubans, the debate over blame is happening far above their heads. Their concern is whether the power will stay on tonight, whether water will come through the pipes, and whether there will be enough food for tomorrow.
