Cuba suffers major power outage after substation failure leaves millions without electricity

HAVANA (AP) — Millions of people in Cuba remained without power Saturday after a failure of the nation’s electric grid left the island in the dark the previous night.

The massive blackout is the fourth in the last six months as a severe economic crisis plagues the Caribbean country. The Ministry of Energy and Mines, in a statement on social media, attributed the latest outage to a failure at a substation in the suburbs of Havana, the capital.

Internet and telephone service were intermittent about Saturday evening after power went out around 8 p.m. local time Friday.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on his X account that authorities are “working intensely to restore stability” to the power system.

Lázaro Guerra, director of electricity at the ministry, said on national television that power was already being generated to support vital services such as hospitals.

A statement from the Cuban Electricity Union released Saturday said the strategy was to create “microsystems” that will connect to each other to gradually restore electricity across the country. Several of these were already operating in the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago, Las Tunas and Pinar del Río.

In Sancti Spíritus, the provincial energy company reported on its Telegram channel that more than 200,000 customers in that area had electricity thanks to these microsystems.

Many Cuban families use electric equipment to prepare their meals. The outage could cause food to thaw in refrigerators and possibly spoil due to the island’s tropical climate.

“When I was about to start cooking and making some spaghetti, the power went out. “And now what?” Cecilia Duquense, a 79-year-old housewife who lives in the working-class neighborhood of Central Havana, said Saturday.

In Havana, people were shopping for food Saturday. Businesses were open, although some were operating using batteries or small home generators.

“We are very worried that the food will go bad” in the refrigerator if the blackout lasts much longer, said Frank García, a 26-year-old marker worker in Havana.

Gas stations were also open, but the tunnel that runs under Havana Bay and connects the city to the outskirts was dark.

Cuba suffered similar blackouts in October, November and December. The latest was the first of 2025 but in mid-February authorities suspended classes and work activities for two days due to a shortage of electricity generation that exceeded 50% in the country.

Experts have said the electricity disruptions are a result of fuel shortages at power plants and aging infrastructure. Most plants have been in operation for more than 30 years.

The outages come as Cubans are experiencing a severe economic crisis that analysts have blamed on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a program of domestic measures that triggered inflation and, above all, the tightening of sanctions by the United States.

A street vendor walks along the Malecon looking for customers during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A street vendor walks along the Malecon looking for customers during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents drive their vehicles along the Malecon during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents charge their electronic devices on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents illuminate themselves with flashlights during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents charge their electronic devices on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents spend time at sunset at the Malecon during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents charge their electronic devices on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A classic American car is driven along the Malecon during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A classic American car with tourists is driven at sunset along the Malecon during a general blackout in Havana, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents wait outside on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents look at their cell phones on the street during a general blackout in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A resident walks on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Residents walk on a street during a general blackout in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tony Allen, whose defensive prowess and unique verbiage created the Memphis Grizzlies' Grit 'n Grind era, was honored Saturday night with the retirement of his No. 9 jersey.

He is just the third Memphis player to receive the honor, joining Core Four brethren Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, both of whom were in attendance on Saturday. Mike Conley, the fourth member of the quartet to bring the franchise its highest success, is still active with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"I'm very thankful for this moment," Allen said. “I'm going in the rafters. A lot of people don't get this moment.”

During a first-quarter timeout, the team showed a smiling Allen, bringing the Memphis faithful to their feet.

Allen, drafted by the Boston Celtics out of Oklahoma State, came to the Grizzlies as a free agent in 2010. The start to his Memphis career was less than stellar. It wasn't until a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder when Allen was thrust into the role of covering Kevin Durant that he solidified his reputation.

And, after the game — a win — Allen uttered the phrase: “All heart. Grit. Grind.” A team slogan and an attitude was born, along with his nickname, “the Grindfather.”

Allen said the mantra just came from his passion in a postgame interview, but it became a trademark for the city and a franchise.

“Tony Allen’s toughness, competitive spirit and defensive intensity energized his teammates and our fans and helped set a standard of defensive excellence that defined an era of Grizzlies basketball,” Grizzlies owner Robert Pera said in a statement.

While his shooting was erratic, leading teams to back away from him on offense, his defense was his calling card. He earned All-Defensive honors six times, and many a star player, such as the late Kobe Bryant, said Allen was among the toughest defenders they faced.

His frenetic pace, sometimes crazy antics and a preparation to details were a change from the offensive-minded approach that gets most players noticed. He hung his hat on the defensive end, changing his game to fit what was needed.

“They like a little bit of crazy,” Allen said of the fans.

On the road, he was likely to wander into the home team's dance troupe during a timeout, or toss his towel onto the court during play. He would sprawl out on the court after interrupting an offensive set.

“It felt good to get the game-winning stop, even if I didn't get the game-winning shot,” Allen said. “That was just as valuable. A lot of times people don't highlight those things, but it was fun for me. ...That was my value on the court.”

Allen played half of his 14-year career in Memphis, and stayed in the city after he retired following a season in New Orleans. He continues to live in Memphis.

“I want to share this with everybody,” Allen said. “I want this to not just be about me, but I want all of us to embrace this because I just think this is a dream come true.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Former Memphis Grizzlies player Tony Allen, uper left, gestures to the crowd while standing with his family in the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Grizzlies and the Miami Heat, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)