Cuba restores some power after latest nationwide blackout

Cuba has been working to restore electricity following a major blackout that plunged large parts of the country into darkness. The state-run electrical company, Union Electrica (UNE), reported on Saturday that nearly half of customers in the capital, Havana, had power returned.

UNE stated on social media that restoration was proceeding gradually as conditions allowed. The outage, at least the 12th since late 2024 and the sixth this year, initially struck five eastern provinces including Havana before spreading nationwide.

Cuban officials told the Reuters news agency on Friday that the collapse stemmed from a failure in high-voltage transmission lines in the central region of the island. UNE also cited unstable weather conditions as a contributing factor.

Cuba has long experienced intermittent blackouts due to deteriorating infrastructure and fuel shortages. However, outages have grown more frequent since the United States imposed an energy blockade in January as part of efforts to pressure the Cuban government politically and economically.

United Nations human rights experts have criticised the US oil blockade as a breach of international law, warning that worsening shortages and blackouts could turn Cuba into what they described as a silent Gaza.

Some residents reportedly said their power had already been out before Friday's blackout began.