Cuba Grid Collapses in Havana and Matanzas Amid Sanctions
What happened
Cuba's national electrical grid collapsed on September 21, 2026, cutting power to over 9 million people in Havana and Matanzas. The failure originated in high-voltage transmission lines in the west, causing the eastern grid to disconnect. This collapse occurred one day after the US State Department announced new sanctions targeting eight Cuban entities and three individuals.
From wsws.org
Why it matters
Cuban authorities estimate the damage from the blockade between March 2025 and February 2026 to be more than $8 billion. Furthermore, the UN projects that the Cuban economy will contract 6.5 percent this year, which is the steepest decline in the region.
From wsws.org
Who's involved
- CubaThe sovereign state experiencing the grid collapse and economic contraction.
- HavanaThe capital city of Cuba, which experienced a severe power outage.
- MatanzasA province within Cuba that also suffered a high-voltage transmission line failure.
- Donald TrumpThe former US President whose administration imposed the blockade and sanctions.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
How this reaches others
Each traced step by step, with the reporting behind itKeep exploring
The entities involved
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Cuba
sovereign state situated on an island in the Caribbean Sea
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Havana
capital and largest city of Cuba
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Matanzas
capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas
Related events
- Cuba is facing severe electrical and resource crises while utilizing state-run websites for regime propaganda.
- Central government services are failing in Havana.
- A water crisis hit Havana, while Matanzas reported blackouts lasting up to 87 continuous hours, according to the Los Angeles Times.
- AP reports on the ongoing power crisis in Cuba's capital, Havana.
- Severe blackouts hit Matanzas, prompting encouraged protests against the United States in Cuba.