Nationwide power failure hits Caribbean island as American citizens warned to prepare

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Americans who are legallytraveling to Cubashould expect major disruptions because of the country’s blackout crisis, according to officials.

S.Embassy in Havana said the country is currently experiencing a total power failure due to its electrical grid collapsing.

“All U.S.citizens in Cuba or planning to travel to Cuba should be aware and plan accordingly,” the embassy said.

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The latest outage marks Cuba’s sixth nationwide grid failure of 2026, officials said, with three occurring in July alone.

Residents are currently suffering from intense heat and a lack of air conditioning, with many sleeping outside near the water to escape the sweltering temperatures, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

View of empty Cuban streets during electricity crisis

Cuba is experiencing another nationwide power outage after its electrical grid collapsed, according to U.S.Embassy officials in Havana.(Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)

Sunday’s highest temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, though it felt like 106 degrees with the Caribbean’s 80% humidity levels, per AP.

Though Cuba is by no means atourism hot spot, it still attracts visitors from around the world, including Americans.

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U.S.law forbids any Americans to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes, though some visits are permitted under a dozen categories.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says Americans may travel to Cuba for purposes including family visits, journalism, education, religious activities, humanitarian projects and “support for the Cuban people.”

View of Cubans sleeping outside amid blackout

Many people have been sleeping outside near the water to escape sweltering temperatures as the island endures another nationwide blackout.(Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)

In a previous travel advisory issued in May 2025, the State Department urged Americans traveling to Cuba to “stay aware of your surroundings.”

“Do not physically resist any robbery attempt,” the advisory states.

“Do not displaysigns of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.”

View of Cuban buildings with no power at sunset

Residents across Cuba are coping with widespread power outages, extreme heat and limited access to air conditioning during the latest electrical failure.(Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)

The advisory also referenced “prolonged power outages,” and suggested Americans bringportable battery banks, as well as spare batteries and nonperishable food and water.

Cuba has struggled with an aging electrical grid for years, with recurring fuel shortages contributing to repeated nationwide outages.

View of Cubans sitting on street during blackout crisis

The latest blackout marks Cuba’s sixth nationwide electrical grid failure of 2026, with three such outages occurring during July.(Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)