# Cuba Infant Deaths Rise to 9.9 per 1,000

> Cuba's infant mortality rate jumps 39% to 9.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, driven by US sanctions and power shortages.
- Title: Cuba Infant Deaths Rise to 9.9 per 1,000 · The Rio Times
- Summary: Cuba's infant mortality rate jumps 39% to 9.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, driven by US sanctions and power shortages.
- Keywords: cuba, infant mortality rate, health ministry, pan american health organization, us embargo, power shortages, medical supplies, The Rio Times
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/cuba-infant-mortality-rate-rises-2025-health-ministry
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-11-12T16:11:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cuba, infant mortality rate, health ministry, pan american health organization, us embargo, power shortages, medical supplies, news, world, politics
## Cuba's Infant Mortality Rate
Cuba's health ministry reports 9.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, up from 7.1 in 2024.
## Births Fell 4% in 2025
Births dropped to 68,051 in 2025, a decline of 3,108 from 2024.
## PAHO Cites Power Shortages
PAHO says prolonged power outages and medical supply shortages strain newborn care.
## US Embargo Cited by Ministry
Cuba's health ministry links rising deaths to US economic sanctions and medical restrictions.
## PAHO Reports 32,000 High-Risk Pregnant Women
PAHO states over 32,000 pregnant women face higher risks due to reduced ultrasounds and delayed diagnoses.
## Disputed Causes of Increase
A Washington think tank blames US sanctions, while the ministry lists other factors including disease outbreaks.
## No 2026 Rate Published
Cuba has not released an official infant mortality rate for 2026.
## Power Index Ranks Cuba 14th
Cuba ranks 14th in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index with 22.5 points as of November 2026.
## Municipal and Provincial Rates
Seventeen municipalities reported no infant deaths, with Pinar del Río, Sancti Spíritus, Cienfuegos and Holguín having the best rates.
## Key takeaway

Cuba's health ministry reports 9.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, up from 7.1 in 2024, with PAHO citing power cuts and medical supply shortages.