Timeline
March 14, 2026 — March 18, 2026
World
Timeline: How Cuba's Energy Crisis Escalated from Protests to Total Grid Collapse Over 5 Days
In mid-March 2026, Cuba experienced a severe energy crisis triggered by a US oil blockade that began in January. What started as protests over power cuts and food shortages in the city of Moron quickly escalated into Cuba's first nationwide blackout since the blockade began, leaving 10 million people without power for over 29 hours. This timeline tracks the rapid deterioration of Cuba's electrical infrastructure and the mounting social unrest.
9 events · 4 days · 18 source articles
Thu, Jan 1, 2026
Major
US oil blockade begins, halting Venezuela shipments to Cuba
The Trump administration implements an oil blockade on Cuba, threatening tariffs on any country selling or providing oil to the island. Venezuela, which had been sending approximately 35,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba, stops shipments entirely. This follows the US operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and backing of acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
Fri, Mar 13, 2026
Moderate
Cuban President acknowledges three months without oil shipments
President Miguel DÃaz-Canel publicly states that Cuba has not received oil shipments in more than three months and is operating on solar power, natural gas, and thermoelectric plants. The island faces mounting rolling blackouts and severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
Fri, Mar 13, 2026
Moderate
Peaceful protest begins in Moron over blackouts and food shortages
Residents of Moron, a city about 250 miles east of Havana, begin a rally against persistent power cuts and steep food prices. Protesters take to the streets banging pots and shouting grievances in what initially appears to be a peaceful demonstration.
Sat, Mar 14, 2026
Major
Protesters ransack Communist Party office in rare violent outbreak
The peaceful protest in Moron turns violent in the early hours of Saturday morning as a small group attacks and vandalizes the provincial Communist Party building. Protesters remove documents and equipment, set fire to furniture, throw rocks through windows, and burn materials in the street while shouting "liberty." Other state facilities including a pharmacy and government market are also targeted.
Sat, Mar 14, 2026
Moderate
Five arrested as authorities investigate vandalism
Cuba's Interior Ministry (Minint) announces five arrests in connection with the Moron protest violence. The NGO Justicia11, which monitors Cuban demonstrations, reports that gunfire was heard in the area and one person may have been shot. President DÃaz-Canel acknowledges protesters' complaints as "legitimate" but warns that "violence and vandalism" will not be tolerated.
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Major
Cuba's national power grid suffers complete collapse
The Cuban electrical system experiences a total "complete disconnection," leaving all 10-11 million people on the island without power in the largest outage since the US blockade began. The Ministry of Energy and Mines announces it is investigating the causes while activating restoration protocols. Officials rule out a major power plant failure, suggesting a transmission problem instead.
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Major
Trump warns he expects to 'take' Cuba
As Cuba remains plunged in darkness from the nationwide blackout, US President Donald Trump makes a public statement saying he expects to "take" Cuba, escalating tensions during the humanitarian crisis.
Tue, Mar 17, 2026
Moderate
Grid operator begins gradual power restoration
Cuba's grid operator UNE begins restoring power to small clusters of circuits, or microsystems, across the country as an early first step in bringing the national grid back online. The process is gradual, with electricity being restored to provinces and cities incrementally.
Wed, Mar 18, 2026
Major
Power fully restored after 29-hour nationwide blackout
Cuba's national power grid comes fully back online at 6:11pm local time (22:11 GMT) on Tuesday, ending a blackout that lasted more than 29 hours. Officials reconnect the grid and bring online the country's largest oil-fired power plant. However, authorities warn that power shortages may continue because insufficient electricity is being generated to meet demand.
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