Cuba keeps its clocks forward as power crisis bites

Cuba did not turn its clocks back on Sunday, 1 November 2026. While most of North America moved to winter time, the island stayed on daylight saving time — UTC-4 — and will keep it for a full year, until 7 November 2027.

The decision was announced in a joint statement by Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines and its Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It is a response to the country’s deep electricity crisis, which has left the island short of power and facing long daily blackouts.

Keeping summer time means darkness falls an hour later in the evening, when people use the most electricity. The ministries say the move avoids about 126 megawatts of extra demand at the evening peak — 76 megawatts less for lighting, and 50 megawatts more from solar power during those hours.

Because mornings will now stay dark an hour longer, schools and workplaces will start 30 minutes later than usual, from 1 November 2026 until 14 March 2027. Havana is now one hour ahead of Miami and New York until the United States puts its clocks forward again on 14 March 2027.

Some phones and computers may still show the wrong time, because many devices still carry the old rule and turn their clocks back at 01:00 on 1 November. The time zone database has been updated, but the new rule reaches each device only with a software update.

Why it matters

This is the first time since 2006 that Cuba has skipped its autumn clock change. The island previously stayed on daylight saving time all year round from March 2004 to October 2006.

The decision shows how far the power crisis now reaches into everyday life: the government is using the clock itself as a tool to cut evening electricity demand. It also changes the time gap for families and relatives abroad — calls, flights and appointments with Miami now run an hour apart.

What happens next

Cuba is due to return to standard time, UTC-5, on Sunday, 7 November 2027, when clocks would go back one hour. The government has said the schedule could be revised again if the electricity crisis changes.

For now, people in Cuba are advised to check devices, alarms and appointments, and switch off automatic date and time if a phone still shows the old time.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/cuba-keeps-dst-until-nov-2027.html (timeanddate.com, 27 October 2026)
• https://time-time.net/time-news/2026/sunday-1-november-2026-cuba-does-not-turn-its-clocks-back.php (time-time.net, 1 November 2026)
• https://www.cubaheadlines.com/articles/343801 (CubaHeadlines, 25 October 2026)