• Cuba suffers its third nationwide blackout in 2026, affecting nearly 10 million people.
• The blackout is attributed to dwindling fuel reserves and an aging power grid.
• U.S. sanctions have intensified the country’s energy crisis, limiting fuel supplies.
• Cuban authorities are investigating the outage as vital services face disruptions.
• Residents report extreme difficulty, with power cuts lasting over 70 hours in some areas.

Cuba's national power grid collapsed on Monday, resulting in a nationwide blackout that left approximately 10 million people without electricity, further worsening an ongoing energy crisis. The state power operator UNE announced that the outage occurred around midday, with investigations into the causes ongoing. This blackout is the third of its kind in 2026, highlighting severe challenges in Cuba's energy sector, attributed to aging infrastructure and fuel shortages exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, which the government claims hinder access to necessary oil supplies for power generation, according to Indiatimes and LA Times.

As the situation deteriorates, Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Mines announced activation of protocols to restore electricity, although early reports indicated that only 1 percent of demand in the capital Havana could be met by late afternoon. With vital services being prioritized, the country is experiencing extreme hardships, including canceled surgeries and interruptions to public transport. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that "vital services continue to be protected amidst this complex situation exacerbated by the energy blockade," according to LA Times and Al Jazeera.

The nation has been facing a protracted energy crisis; power cuts have become routine, often lasting well over 24 hours in urban areas and up to 70 hours in rural regions. Reports from citizens describe life under these conditions as "agony," with extended electricity outages severely affecting daily activities, including cooking and water supply. The government attributes the crisis to U.S. sanctions, which have effectively limited Cuba's access to necessary fuel, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.