Cuba's Electrical Grid Collapses Nationwide, Cutting Power to Over 9 Million

Cuba's national electrical grid collapsed islandwide on the afternoon of September 18, 2026, after high-voltage transmission lines failed in the western part of the country around 2 p.m. local time, causing the western system to fail as far as Matanzas province before the eastern grid was disconnected as well. More than 9 million people lost power, along with cellphone and internet service, in what officials and wire services counted as the seventh or eighth total nationwide grid collapse of 2026 (accounts vary) and at least the twelfth national blackout since late 2024. Cuba's National Electrical Union (UNE) said 'protocols are now in place to begin the gradual restoration of the system,' and state newspaper Granma blamed 'unstable' weather compounding the fuel-starved grid's fragility. Recovery was slow: by dusk only about 5% of Havana's roughly 862,000 customers had power restored, concentrated around hospitals, while much of the capital remained dark overnight under rain. Havana resident Mercedes Rodríguez, 60, said 'no one can stand these constant blackouts. There isn't enough food, there's no water, there's no electricity,' while homemaker Abilén Marrero said 'maybe it'll come back this afternoon or tomorrow — there's no way to know.' The collapse is the latest consequence of the US fuel blockade that has cut off Venezuelan crude and blocked replacement parts for Cuba's aging thermoelectric plants since January 2026.