Nationwide Blackout Hits Cuba After Major Power Plant Failure

AFP/APP

Havana: Cuba faced a nationwide blackout on Friday after the country’s largest power plant, Antonio Guiteras, unexpectedly shut down, adding to weeks of extended outages that have plagued the cash-strapped nation.

The blackout brought Havana to a standstill, forcing schools to close, halting public transport, and leaving traffic lights inoperative.

Lazara Guerra, head of electricity supply at the energy ministry, confirmed the power plant’s failure and described the collapse of the system, stating that efforts were underway to restore electricity for Cuba’s 11 million citizens as soon as possible.

For weeks, several provinces have experienced power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, prompting Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to declare an “energy emergency” on Thursday. In response, the government suspended all non-essential public services to prioritize electricity supply to households.

Schools across Cuba will remain closed until Monday, though hospitals and other essential facilities will stay open, powered by generators.

“This is crazy,” said Eloy Fon, an 80-year-old retiree from central Havana. “It shows the fragility of our electricity system… We have no reserves. We are living day-to-day.”