Severe Power Shortages Push Cuba Toward Humanitarian Crisis.

Photo by Matthias Oben on pexels.com 

Recent reports revealed that, following the United States (US) blockade in January 2026, power shortages in Cuba remain severe. According to the United Nations (UN), the energy crisis has reached a critical point, worsening the country’s already existing humanitarian situation.

According to multiple sources, Cuba’s energy deficiency has led to a range of humanitarian issues, including the paralysis of essential public services. For instance, the healthcare sector is collapsing: due to the inability to restore power in hospitals, the country has accumulated a backlog of over 96,000 pending surgeries, including 11,000 involving children. In addition, the National Immunization Program has been suspended for thousands of babies. Vulnerable groups, including elderly people, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, are among the most affected. 

Power shortages have caused frequent blackouts in recent months, limiting citizens’ ability to communicate both within and outside the island in times of need. The situation has escalated to the point that, last month, people in central Havana began banging pots and pans in protest. However, unauthorized protests are prohibited in Cuba, and violators face imprisonment. Reuters interviewed several residents, one of whom stated that "there is no water because there is no electricity to run the pumps. There is no electricity, no food, no oil, no fuel, and private businesses have high prices because everything is going up now, since they have to move their goods by truck and transport. All of this is really very bad."

Reports also indicate that the tourism sector has been collapsing, with international ​arrivals falling by 56% in February compared to the previous year. Prior to the blockade, Cuba was in its peak tourism season; the current situation is further worsening the country’s unstable economic conditions. "We are much worse off even than during the coronavirus pandemic," one Cuban worker commented.

The US and Cuba have been at odds since the 1959 Cuban Revolution, when Fidel Castro's government nationalized US-owned companies, prompting Washington to impose economic sanctions. Since then, the country has faced prolonged economic crisis and has relied heavily on fuel imports. Until January 2026, Cuba was receiving approximately 35,000 barrels of oil a day from Venezuela. However, following the arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro by the US, these supplies were cut off. In addition, US president Donald Trump has threatened sanctions against any country supplying oil to Cuba. In March, Cuban president Díaz-Canel affirmed that the government was in the early phases of negotiations with the Trump administration to resolve bilateral tensions; however, the situation has not yet improved. 

The international community has also addressed the crisis, seeking solutions to mitigate its impact. For example, the UN is working closely with national authorities and the private sector to develop logistical strategies that ensure the sustainability of aid operations. The organization has specifically emphasized the need to transition to sustainable energy backup systems. Francisco Pichon, the UN Resident Coordinator, noted that despite ongoing efforts, "the humanitarian needs in the country remain quite acute and persistent," highlighting the need for coordinated international action and increased public awareness.

Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged “all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law.” 

written by Ludovica Muncibì