HAVANA — Millions of Cubans entered a third day without electricity on Sunday as efforts to restore power failed overnight, compounding frustrations in a country already grappling with a crumbling energy infrastructure.

The Cuban Electrical Union reported that approximately 16% of the country had regained power when the aging electrical grid overloaded late Saturday. Officials have not provided a timeline for when full service will be restored. This incident marks the third major collapse of Cuba’s energy grid since Friday, leaving most of the 10 million residents without power during this period.

The energy crisis is expected to be exacerbated by the imminent arrival of Hurricane Oscar, which is forecasted to bring heavy winds and surf to eastern Cuba. The situation is critical, as reliable electricity is essential for water supply and food preservation, and the recent outages threaten to plunge the nation into an even deeper crisis.

Cuba experienced its first island-wide blackout on Friday when a major power plant failed, according to the energy ministry. Hours after officials announced that power was being gradually restored, the country suffered a second nationwide blackout on Saturday morning.

In response to the crisis, residents have turned to WhatsApp to share updates on which areas have electricity, while others are arranging to store medications in the refrigerators of those fortunate enough to have power or generators. In the capital, Havana, long lines formed outside the few locations selling bread, leading to disputes among frustrated customers when supplies ran out.

Many residents voiced concerns over the absence of support from Cuba’s traditional allies, such as Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico, who have historically provided the island with crucial oil supplies. Meanwhile, tourists were spotted driving around Havana in vintage 1950s cars, although many hotel generators had run out of fuel.

A foreign visitor reported that Havana’s José Martí International Airport was operating on emergency power, leading to delays and disruptions, including non-functional printers and a lack of air conditioning in the terminal.

Cuban officials attribute the ongoing energy crisis to a combination of factors, including increased U.S. economic sanctions, disruptions from recent hurricanes, and the poor state of the island’s infrastructure. In a delayed televised address on Thursday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz stated that much of the country’s limited production was halted to prevent a complete power outage.

“We have been paralyzing economic activity to generate power for the population,” he explained.

Cuba’s Health Minister, José Angel Portal Miranda, stated on social media platform X that health facilities are operating on generators, and healthcare workers continue to provide essential services despite the challenges.

Reports of small protests have emerged, with videos circulating on social media showing public discontent in the capital. As the situation develops, many Cubans remain hopeful for a resolution to the ongoing crisis and a return to normalcy.