Cuba’s power grid collapses again after nationwide blackout

HAVANA — Cuba's national electrical grid collapsed again on Monday, according to state-run media, as authorities were working to restore power following a nationwide blackout on Sunday night.

The country’s aging power generation system has been under increasing pressure due to fuel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and reduced oil supplies. Cuba has experienced more frequent nationwide blackouts in recent months, affecting its population of about 10 million people.

The latest outage came after three major power failures occurred within nine days in July, followed by another blackout just before 11 p.m. local time on Sunday.

"Despite the progress made today, an oscillation triggered the collapse," Lazaro Manuel Alonso, news director of Cuba's state-run television, said in a social media post.

Cuba has also faced a decline in fuel imports after U.S. sanctions disrupted oil shipments from key suppliers. Venezuela, once the island's primary fuel provider, has significantly reduced exports, while Mexico also halted oil deliveries following increased U.S. pressure.

The Cuban government blames the decades-old U.S. trade embargo for the country's deteriorating infrastructure and energy crisis. The United States, however, says the recurring blackouts are the result of longstanding mismanagement of Cuba's state-run economy. -Reporting by Ayose Naranjo; Editing by Kylie Madry/Reuters