The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a security alert on Monday for American citizens either residing in or planning to travel to Cuba, subsequent to the complete failure of the National Electric System (SEN) on Sunday night.
The announcement, shared via the embassy's official social media channels on Facebook and X, paints a grim picture of an unprecedented electrical breakdown and warns travelers of the hazards they might encounter in a country where power has become a rare commodity.
"According to reports from Cuban state media, the cause of the blackout remains unknown, as does the estimated time for service restoration. All U.S. citizens in Cuba or those planning to visit should stay informed and plan their travels accordingly. There have been reports of disruptions in cell phone and internet services," stated the U.S. diplomatic mission, referencing the blackout that occurred on Sunday, August 2, at 10:43 PM EST.
The embassy further explained that "Cuba's electrical grid is increasingly unstable, marking the sixth complete network failure in 2026, with three occurring just in July. The electrical system continues to be vulnerable, leading to more frequent and prolonged power outages. Scheduled blackouts occur daily, while unscheduled outages persist throughout Cuba, with daily shortages exceeding 60%."
Preparing for Prolonged Outages
In light of these issues, the embassy advised the following actions:
- Follow daily updates from UNE (Unión Eléctrica) and keep track of UNE's social media accounts.
- Stay informed through local media for updates.
- Keep in contact with family and friends.
- Prepare for extended power outages.
The U.S. diplomatic mission urged its citizens in Cuba to keep mobile phones and portable batteries charged, have flashlights and spare batteries readily accessible, and stock up on non-perishable food and water.
They also recommended preparing alternative methods to meet medical needs, such as devices requiring electricity or medications needing refrigeration.
Furthermore, U.S. citizens were encouraged to register with the Department of State's STEP program (step.state.gov) for security updates and to subscribe to the embassy's consular WhatsApp channel.
The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for Cuba, urging increased caution due in part to the country's electrical instability.
Continued Electrical System Challenges
As Cuba's electrical system struggled to recover from Sunday night's blackout, a frequency fluctuation on Monday led to another complete disconnection of the National Electroenergetic System.
The state-run company released a statement on its official Facebook page saying: "During the restoration process of the SEN, prevailing weather events caused impacts on the network, directly affecting the generating units online. We are working tirelessly to reverse this situation and restore the system as soon as possible."
Shortly before this announcement, government-aligned journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso had confirmed the incident: "A new disconnection of the National Electric System occurred minutes ago. Despite today's progress, a fluctuation led to the system's collapse."
The collapse came at a time when the system's recovery was only partial and notably fragile.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What caused the power outage in Cuba?
The exact cause of the power outage in Cuba remains unknown, according to Cuban state media. The U.S. Embassy has advised travelers to be cautious due to the electrical instability in the country.
How frequently do power outages occur in Cuba?
Cuba experiences frequent power outages, with scheduled blackouts occurring daily and unscheduled outages happening regularly across the country. The instability of the electrical grid is a persistent issue.
How can U.S. citizens in Cuba stay informed about security updates?
U.S. citizens in Cuba are encouraged to register with the Department of State's STEP program for security updates and subscribe to the embassy’s consular WhatsApp channel for timely information.