Cuba electric grid collapses amid US oil blockade causing national blackout

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By AFP and ReutersMarch 16, 2026 at 09:45 PM

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In March 2026, Cuba's national power grid collapsed, causing a nationwide blackout affecting approximately 10 million people. The state-owned electricity company is investigating the cause of the shutdown. This collapse follows a halt in oil imports to Cuba since early January due to a US pressure campaign, including threats of sanctions against countries delivering fuel. The US actions, aimed at regime change, have exacerbated Cuba's existing economic problems, leading to shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. Prior to the blackout, two-thirds of the country experienced a power outage earlier in the month due to a breakdown at a major power plant.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 30% Mexico 40% Antonio Guiteras power plant 50% Delcy Rodriguez 50% Nicolás Maduro 60% Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba 60% Venezuela ×260% Donald Trump 70% United States ×690% Cuba ×895%

Keywords

electric grid collapse 90% us oil blockade 90% national blackout 80% humanitarian crisis 70% energy shortages 60% oil shipments 60% trade embargo 50% economic woes 50% regime change 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.60

Source Transparency

Source

Al Jazeera

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Cuba

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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electric grid collapse us oil blockade national blackout humanitarian crisis energy shortages oil shipments trade embargo economic woes regime change

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