Residents in Central Havana and other municipalities reported hearing several detonations less than an hour ago, between 6:16 PM and 7:16 PM UTC on February 20, 2026, according to social media posts by @cubanolibre48 and @MarioJPenton. A video shared by @MarioJPenton shows detonations occurring in several Havana locations. The reports emerged during a 59-minute window amid Cuba's ongoing energy crisis, following an electrical accident at the Havana 220 kV Substation that injured a worker and caused blackouts in Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque provinces between 5:16 PM and 6:16 PM UTC, as noted by MagJorgeCastro on X in the previous reporting period. No official statements from Cuban authorities confirm the nature or cause of the detonations as of 7:16 PM UTC. The sounds were described as distant explosions heard across multiple areas, with @cubanolibre48 posting at approximately 6:30 PM UTC.
