Cuba suffers new total blackout: 10 million without electricity after collapse of the electrical network

Cuba woke up this Monday, July 6, 2026 plunged into a new national-scale blackout after the total collapse of its electrical network, leaving about 10 million people without electricity on an island of just over 11 million inhabitants. The alert went viral when Fox News published it as a breaking news on X: «Cuba has been hit by another island-wide blackout».

«BREAKING: Cuba has been hit by another island-wide blackout, leaving roughly 10 million people without power. Officials say the cause is under investigation as the country's aging electric grid continues to struggle and fuel reserves run low.

What the authorities say

The United States Embassy in Cuba reported that, at 1:54 p.m. local time, there was “a disconnection from the national electrical grid that resulted in a total power outage throughout Cuba, including the metropolitan area of ​​Havana,” according to Fox News.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines indicated in X that the causes "are being investigated" and that the "restoration protocols" of the National Electrical System began to be activated. The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) confirmed the total disconnection and the work of technical teams to recover the service, according to Associated Press and The Independent.

At the close of business on Monday, state media cited by the AP indicated that electricity had been restored to about 5% of customers in Havana—some 42,000 connections—and several hospitals on the island. Authorities warned that the recovered circuits could fail again.

Why is Cuba turning off again?

It is not an isolated event. The AP called it the third major blackout in four months. In March 2026 another national collapse left millions in the dark for hours, linked to the failure of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant and fuel shortages, according to Reuters.

Fox News places the episode in a structural crisis: aging infrastructure, fuel reserves at the limit and restrictions on oil access. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said last Friday that no fuel had entered the country in three months and that generation was largely dependent on renewable sources.

The island produces around 40% of the oil it consumes; The rest depended largely on imports, especially from Venezuela, interrupted after the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 and Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on those who sell oil to Cuba, according to Reuters and the AP.

Protests and political tension

The blackout comes two days after protesters attacked a Communist Party headquarters in Morón, according to Reuters and Fox News: they threw stones, shouted "freedom" and tried to set fire to the building after hours of peaceful protest over the power outages. Fox published video of those riots in its coverage on Monday.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Fernández de Cossío responded in

Impact on essential services

Fox News and the AP point out that hospitals and critical services were among the most affected. Recurrent blackouts disrupt drinking water, food refrigeration and communications. The electric company of Villa Clara asked residents to unplug non-essential equipment until stability is restored in the network.

While the government promotes solar energy projects - presented as a "necessity of national security" in the face of Washington's restrictions - the population continues to face rationing that sometimes exceeds 24 hours without electricity, according to The Independent.

In summary

What happened? Total collapse of the SEN and blackout throughout Cuba. When? Jul 6, 2026, ~1:54 p.m. How many affected? ~10 million. Cause? Under investigation; context of low fuel and deteriorated network. Is it the first? No: second national blackout of 2026; third largest in four months. Restoration? In progress; partial progress in Havana on Monday night.

Breaking news (July 6, 2026): News based on the alert from Fox News on X, confirmed by Fox News, AP and The Independent. We will update if the Cuban government publishes an official restoration balance sheet.