The day after Cuba's National Power System collapsed on March 16, 2026—marking the sixth nationwide blackout in 18 months—Havana remained in darkness and paralysis. Independent journalist Yoani Sanchez details a city struggling with closed offices, powerless electric vehicles, and spotty internet on Tuesday, March 17.
Havana awoke on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, still reeling from the National Power System's total collapse the previous afternoon, as described by Yoani Sanchez in Havana Times. Sanchez's early morning observations paint a picture of urban standstill: offices shuttered, electric tricycles depleted of battery, and internet access reduced to faint signals from central spots or elevated areas. The profound nighttime darkness highlighted stark inequalities—rechargeable lamps sent from relatives abroad illuminated some homes, diesel generators pervaded buildings with their fumes, and solar panels powered select residences, such as one on the 15th floor. In contrast, a 12-story building housing workers from under-resourced institutions stayed entirely dark. This follows the state-run Electric Company's report of the March 16 disconnection, with nine of 16 thermoelectric units offline and restoration efforts ongoing amid aging infrastructure.
