Mon Mar 17 08:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Cuba Reels from Fourth Major Blackout in Six Months
HAVANA – Millions of Cubans remained without power on Saturday following a nationwide blackout that plunged the island into darkness on Friday night. This marks the fourth major power outage in the past six months, exacerbating the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines attributed the latest failure to a substation malfunction in the Havana suburbs. Internet and phone service were also intermittently disrupted. While authorities are working to restore power, President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the challenges on X, stating that efforts are underway to stabilize the power grid.
The Cuban Electricity Union is implementing a strategy of creating “microsystems” to gradually reconnect power across the country. Some progress has been made, with reports of partial restoration in provinces like Guantánamo, Santiago, Las Tunas, and Pinar del Río. However, concerns remain, especially regarding food spoilage due to the tropical climate and widespread reliance on electric appliances for cooking and refrigeration.
Havana residents reported scrambling to purchase food and cope with the outage, with businesses operating on limited power sources like batteries and generators. The disruption also affected infrastructure, including the tunnel connecting Havana to its outskirts.
Experts cite aging infrastructure and fuel shortages at power plants as the primary causes of the repeated blackouts. The ongoing economic crisis, worsened by the pandemic, domestic economic policies, and US sanctions, further complicates the situation. The frequency and severity of these outages are adding significant strain to the lives of ordinary Cubans.
First Piper 