The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a security warning on Thursday for American citizens in Cuba, highlighting the increasing instability of the national power grid and the widespread protests that erupted across the capital on Wednesday.
The diplomatic notice, shared on Facebook, paints a stark picture: "Cuba's national electric grid is becoming increasingly unstable. Prolonged and unexpected power outages are now a daily occurrence across the country, including Havana."
The warning emphasizes that these blackouts are disrupting essential services like water supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications. Additionally, fuel shortages are causing lengthy lines at gas stations nationwide.
The immediate catalyst was the wave of protests on Wednesday, May 13, when demonstrators took to the streets throughout Havana, banging pots and blocking roads to demand electricity and food.
Protests spread through Marianao, Nuevo Vedado, Luyanó, Santos Suárez, San Miguel del Padrón, Playa, and Puentes Grandes, with chants of "Power and food" and "Down with the dictatorship."
The embassy acknowledged that while the protests were not targeted at Americans, "some have resulted in aggressive police crackdowns against Cuban demonstrators."
Journalistic reports documented police violence against protesters in Playa, and the organization Cubalex reported at least 14 arrests in Havana during the demonstrations.
Simultaneously, a massive internet outage hit Havana amid the protests, seen as a deliberate communication blackout by the regime.
The underlying energy crisis has reached unprecedented levels: the Electric Union reported a record deficit of 2,113 MW at 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, with only 1,230 MW available compared to a demand of 3,250 MW, leaving about two-thirds of the country without power.
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy publicly admitted that "Cuba is out of fuel," describing the situation as "acute, critical, and extremely tense," with power outages lasting 20 to 22 hours daily in some areas of the capital.
Cuba didn't receive any fuel shipments from December 2025 to the end of March 2026, and in April, only one of the eight ships needed monthly arrived.
The embassy advised its citizens to avoid crowds, conserve fuel, water, food, and phone battery, and prepare for "significant disruptions."
This is not the first alert from the diplomatic mission this year; previous warnings were issued on February 3, March 4, March 16—when a total blackout left the country without power for 29 hours and 29 minutes—March 20, and April 30.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,245 protests in March 2026—the highest monthly number since July 11—and 1,133 in April, a 29.5% increase from the same month last year, reflecting the growing public discontent over the energy collapse and shortages imposed by the dictatorship.
Understanding the Power Crisis and Protests in Cuba
What triggered the recent protests in Havana?
The protests were sparked by severe power outages and shortages of basic necessities, leading residents to demand electricity and food.
How is the energy crisis impacting daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis is severely affecting daily life, disrupting water supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications, and causing long lines at gas stations due to fuel shortages.
What has been the government's response to the energy crisis?
The government has acknowledged the fuel shortages and the critical state of the energy system, but has yet to provide a comprehensive solution to the escalating crisis.