Illustration | Cuba's "Darkest Hour": Energy Blockade, Medical Crisis, and Social Predicament

According to CCTV News, the Cuban Electric Union reported on the 16th that the national power system experienced a complete blackout, affecting over 10 million people. By that evening, only 2% of residents in Havana and some hospitals had restored power. The Cuban authorities have initiated power restoration procedures, while warning that small-scale lines that have been restored could still fail again. On the same day, U.S. President Trump stated in Washington that he would “take over” Cuba in some form.

On March 16, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, vehicles are driving in the dark. Xinhua News Agency Photo

According to a notice issued by the Cuban State Power Union on March 2, the peak electricity demand nationwide during evening hours is expected to reach 3,180 MW, while available generation capacity is only 1,185 MW, resulting in a power gap of 1,995 MW. If the situation persists, the actual impact could increase to 2,025 MW, with the gap exceeding 2,000 MW.

On March 16, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, a person uses a flashlight in the dark. Xinhua News Agency Photo

On March 16, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, people queue to buy bread. Xinhua News Agency Photo

On March 4, 2026, residents in Havana gather with emergency lights during a blackout. Visual China Photo

Energy crisis worsens: external blockade and aging power grid double pressure

This is not Cuba’s first experience with power outages. Since October 2024, due to failures in power facilities, hurricanes, and other reasons, Cuba has experienced multiple nationwide blackouts. This is the third large-scale blackout in nearly four months, with rolling regional outages becoming the norm.

On March 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, a car passes through a traffic light that has gone out due to a blackout. Visual China Photo

On September 29, 2022, in Havana, Cuba, after Hurricane Ian, a man repairs a traffic light. Cuba experienced over 12 hours of complete power outage prior. Visual China Photo

On September 10, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, a police officer directs traffic on the street. Visual China Photo

Since January this year, the U.S. has increased pressure on Cuba by forcibly detaining Venezuelan President Maduro, cutting off Venezuela’s oil shipments to Cuba, and threatening tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba, causing the already aging power system of this Caribbean island nation to collapse.

On January 9, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, the LPG/chemical tanker “Pastorita” with the Cuban flag arrives at Havana port. Visual China Photo

In fact, U.S. unilateral sanctions against Cuba have lasted over 60 years, making it the “longest series of sanctions in U.S. foreign policy.” The energy sector has been a key target of these sanctions. The U.S. not only bans American companies from engaging in energy cooperation with Cuba but also threatens sanctions against any country involved in energy trade with Cuba, cutting off access to energy fuels, power generation equipment, and technology.

On February 22, 2026, Mexico City, Mexico, members of social organizations draw slogans on the main square, Constitution Square, to support Cuba and protest the U.S. oil embargo against Cuba. Visual China Photo

On February 26, 2026, Tampa, Florida, USA, members of the Tampa Bay Student Democracy Association (SDS) hold demonstrations in support of Cuba and Latin America. Visual China Photo

Due to U.S. sanctions, Cuba has long struggled to import fuel and repair its severely aging power plants. Out of 16 thermal power plants, 8 are shut down due to faults or fuel shortages. To prevent the grid from collapsing completely, the Cuban government has had to implement rolling blackouts nationwide, including four-day workweeks for state enterprises and fuel sales restrictions, with some areas experiencing up to 20 hours of daily power outages.

On March 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, the National Assembly building during a blackout. Visual China Photo

On March 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, during a blackout. Visual China Photo

If energy blockade is the external “fatal blow,” then aging infrastructure is the “internal stubborn disease” of Cuba’s energy system. Most of Cuba’s current power generation equipment was built in the 1980s, far beyond its planned lifespan. Less than 50% of thermal units are operational, and these devices lack spare parts, corroded by high-sulfur heavy oil, and prone to frequent failures.

William Leogrand, a U.S. university professor who has studied Cuba extensively, pointed out that Cuba’s power grid infrastructure is severely aging, “well beyond normal service life.” The government also lacks sufficient hard currency to import spare parts, making it impossible to upgrade thermal plants or overhaul the grid itself. Although technicians strive to keep systems running, relying solely on energy conservation and renewable energy would only temporarily sustain operations and would lead to ongoing suffering among the population, potentially resulting in economic collapse, social unrest, and large-scale migration.

On September 10, 2025, people walk past the Havana Electric Company. Visual China Photo

Since 2019, to ease power shortages, Cuba has rented 8 floating power ships from Turkey. However, due to fuel shortages, some ships cannot operate normally, making it difficult to provide effective backup.

On August 6, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, people watch as the Turkish power ship “Suheyla Sultan” departs from Havana port. Visual China Photo

The country has also attempted to develop renewable energy to escape the crisis, aiming to build 92 photovoltaic parks with a capacity of over 2,000 MW by 2028. Wind and biomass power are also included in the new energy transition plan. According to government data, as of October 2025, Cuba had built 35 solar power parks with a total capacity of 750 MW, which could save 111,620 tons of fossil fuels.

On February 21, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, the first solar power plant under the country’s plan to alleviate power shortages is inaugurated. Visual China Photo

However, due to funding shortages and technological restrictions, progress has been slow. Cuba also lacks battery storage facilities and grid upgrades, meaning solar power can only supply daytime electricity, unable to meet evening peak demand, making it difficult to achieve scale and fundamentally solve the energy supply crisis.

On March 17, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, a man rests inside a closed gas station. Visual China Photo

On December 11, 2024, in Havana, Cuba, a man pushes a cart near a gas station. Visual China Photo

On March 15, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, residents charge their phones during a nationwide blackout. Visual China Photo

The escalating energy crisis is reshaping daily life in Cuba, forcing people to adopt highly unequal solutions. Wealthier families install solar panels on rooftops, while some households resort to coal for cooking.

On February 6, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, farmers sell charcoal on the roadside. Visual China Photo

On March 5, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, a shopkeeper uses a generator after a blackout. Visual China Photo

On February 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, workers install solar panels on the roof of a Catholic church in Guanabacoa. Visual China Photo

On September 10, 2025, in Havana, Cuba, a man looks at solar panels powering streetlights. Visual China Photo

Lifeline under blockade: fuel shortages push Cuba’s healthcare to the limit

Olivia, a oncologist at a general hospital in Havana, has to leave home two hours earlier than usual every day. Previously, she could drive her own car to the hospital and see her scheduled patients on time. Now, due to fuel shortages and disrupted public transportation, shifts are reduced. To get to work, Olivia has to wait by the roadside for passing vehicles to give her a ride.

On March 4, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, people wait for public transportation during a blackout. Visual China Photo

More worrying than commuting difficulties is the systemic breakdown of Cuba’s healthcare system caused by the fuel crisis.

The Cuban national power grid has prioritized hospitals, but since early 2026, a new round of “energy blockade” has created transportation bottlenecks for medical supplies, even affecting surgical schedules. Cuban President Díaz-Canel stated on the 13th that the country has not received oil shipments for three months and is relying on solar, natural gas, and thermal power plants. The government has also had to delay surgeries for tens of thousands of people.

On October 18, 2024, in Havana, a power failure caused a nationwide blackout, but the Hermano Hemeras Hospital restored power during the outage. Visual China Photo

“Transport of many essential supplies is hindered, and these are critical for surgical needs,” said hospital director Mirtha Le. In wards, some patients urgently need blood transfusions, but blood bank supplies are also unstable due to transportation issues. Blood collection, testing, and distribution require a complete cold chain; any disruption means life-saving channels are blocked. Facing these severe difficulties, hospitals have begun implementing 24-hour shifts with 48 hours off, trying to keep operations going.

On March 18, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, aid supplies are being moved into a children’s hospital by European aid teams. Visual China Photo

Cuban President: Vowing to resist “Unbreakable”

Although Cuba has recently held talks with the U.S. to “find solutions through dialogue” and to assess mutual willingness to cooperate, Cuban President Díaz-Canel recently stated that Cuba is willing to advance dialogue based on equality, respect for each other’s political systems, sovereignty, and self-determination. However, the U.S. continues to threaten Cuba. On the 15th, President Trump, aboard Air Force One, claimed in an interview that “first Iran, then Cuba.” On the 16th, he even declared, “I am confident I will have the honor of taking Cuba.”

On February 21, 2026, in Havana, Cuba, a silhouette of a man appears inside a home during a blackout. Visual China Photo

In response, Díaz-Canel on the 17th said that Cuba remains confident that any external invader will face “unbreakable resistance.” He stated on social media that the U.S. nearly daily threatens to use force to overthrow Cuba’s constitutional order and blames Cuba’s weak economy for severe restrictions. However, these are the results of over 60 years of U.S. suppression and isolation.

Díaz-Canel also said that the U.S. openly claims to control Cuba’s resources, assets, and entire economy, while trying to “suffocate” Cuba to force submission. This is a “cruel economic war of collective punishment” against the Cuban people.

This article is compiled from CCTV News, Xinhua News Agency, China Energy Network, images, and other sources.