**Cuba Faces Second Nationwide Blackout in a Week Amid Ongoing Fuel Crisis**
Cuba experienced its second nationwide blackout in less than a week on July 10, 2026, as the island plunged into darkness shortly before evening. The outage, which began at 4:30 PM local time (20:30 GMT), was announced by the Union Electrica de Cuba, the state-owned utility responsible for the country's electrical grid. This incident follows a similar blackout that occurred just days earlier on July 5, marking a troubling trend for the island.
The recent blackouts have raised concerns among the Cuban population, as this latest incident is part of a broader pattern of electrical outages that have intensified since the beginning of the year. In total, Cuba has experienced four island-wide blackouts in 2026, with two additional outages occurring in March alone. While power outages are not uncommon in Cuba due to an aging electrical infrastructure, the frequency and severity of these blackouts have escalated in recent months.
The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing fuel blockade imposed by the United States, particularly under the administration of former President Donald Trump. Since January 2026, the Trump administration has effectively severed Cuba's access to foreign oil supplies, which has critically impacted the island's ability to generate electricity. Historically, Cuba has relied on imports for a significant portion of its oil needs, with domestic production accounting for only about 40% of its consumption, according to the International Energy Agency.
The U.S. trade embargo against Cuba has been in place since the 1960s, but recent actions taken by the Trump administration have tightened restrictions further. In January, Trump authorized a military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of the Cuban government, which resulted in Venezuela ceasing its oil exports to Cuba. Following this, Trump declared Cuba an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States, threatening countries that supply fuel to the island with heavy tariffs.
As a result of these sanctions, Cuba has struggled to secure adequate fuel supplies, leading to significant disruptions in public services, including transportation and healthcare. Human rights experts have warned that the ongoing fuel deprivation is having dire consequences for the Cuban population, particularly vulnerable groups. The United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, highlighted alarming statistics indicating a near doubling of infant mortality rates in recent months, attributing this crisis to the lack of access to essential medical supplies and medicines.
Despite the challenges posed by the blockade, the Cuban government has attempted to shift its energy infrastructure towards renewable sources. Prior to the fuel blockade, Cuba had plans to increase its reliance on solar and other renewable energy technologies, with imports from China aiding this transition. However, as of 2022, renewable energy sources accounted for only about 18% of Cuba's overall energy consumption, and the government aims to increase this figure to nearly 25% by 2030.
In response to the blackouts and the ongoing energy crisis, U.S. officials have pointed to mismanagement within the Cuban government as a contributing factor to the electrical outages. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the Trump administration's actions are not punitive towards the Cuban regime but rather a response to the government's failures.
As Cuba grapples with these challenges, the impact of the blackouts and fuel shortages continues to be felt across the island. The combination of an aging electrical infrastructure, severe fuel restrictions, and ongoing political tensions with the United States poses significant hurdles for the Cuban government and its citizens. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is closely monitoring developments as the island navigates this ongoing crisis.