On Tuesday, at around noon, two electrical poles collapsed in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana, specifically in the Diez de Octubre municipality, as Cuba experiences its third nationwide blackout of the year. According to a report from Cubanet Noticias, the immediate cause was the decayed state of the base of one of the poles, a direct result of years without proper maintenance.
This incident occurred at a critical time: the National Electric System (SEN) failed on Monday at 12:37 PM following the shutdown of Unit No. 6 at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camagüey, leaving over 9.6 million people without power.
The general blackout—marking the eighth since late 2024—saw a record electricity deficit ranging from 2,200 to 2,230 MW, with only 1,000 MW available to meet a demand of 3,100 MW.
The fall of the poles in Lawton underscores that Cuba's energy crisis extends beyond just a generation shortage: the distribution network has been neglected for decades, with deteriorating infrastructure that buckles under any additional strain.
At the time of Monday's collapse, 106 distributed generation plants—accounting for 890 MW—were out of operation due to a lack of fuel, in a country that has been without regular oil supplies for over three months.
By Tuesday, nearly 24 hours after the collapse, the government reported a partial restoration of service from Mariel to Sancti Spíritus, benefiting approximately 262,369 customers in Havana, while the rest of the country remained in darkness.
Lawton has a recent history of unrest due to blackouts. In March 2026, residents of the neighborhood burned trash and blocked streets after enduring 36 consecutive hours without electricity, in one of the capital's most visible protests that month.
The neighborhood has also faced water supply interruptions linked to electrical failures at the Palatino pump, a crucial facility for several Havana municipalities.
The telecommunications network was not spared either: ETECSA confirmed that 47.5% of the cell towers and 56.5% of the telecommunications cabinets were out of service during the blackout, worsening the population's isolation.
Experts estimate that Cuba would need approximately $10 billion to overcome the structural energy crisis, a figure unattainable for a regime that has failed to even keep its distribution network poles standing.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the collapse of the electrical poles in Lawton?
The collapse was primarily due to the decayed state of the base of one of the poles, which was a result of many years without adequate maintenance.
How widespread was the blackout in Cuba?
The blackout affected more than 9.6 million people across the country, marking the third nationwide blackout of the year.
What is the estimated cost to resolve Cuba's energy crisis?
Experts suggest that overcoming the structural energy crisis would require approximately $10 billion, a sum currently beyond the reach of the Cuban regime.
What impact did the blackout have on telecommunications in Cuba?
During the blackout, ETECSA reported that 47.5% of the cell towers and 56.5% of the telecommunications cabinets were out of service, exacerbating the isolation of the population.