Residents of the La Kaba neighborhood in Manzanillo took to the streets on the night of Sunday, May 25, participating in a pot-banging protest after more than 20 hours without electricity.
The protest, motivated by the prolonged blackouts affecting almost all of Cuba, reflects the growing public discontent regarding the energy crisis that further complicates the already challenging living conditions on the island.
According to reports from Martí Noticias, at least three protesters were arrested by the police during the demonstration.
One of them, identified as Yongel Quiala, remained in custody until Tuesday. The other two were released after being fined 10,000 pesos.
A local resident, identified as José Fonseca, said that people took to the streets with pots in hand to protest. "Many hours without electricity; out of 24, only 2 hours", he stated.
The activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia reported on social media that one of the protesters, Addel Céspedes, was severely beaten by the authorities. “They are abusers! He can't even stand!”, she wrote, assuring that the affected person's family managed to see him and confirm his health status. Céspedes lives in Concepción between Purísima and San Salvador, in Manzanillo.
The protest in Manzanillo joins other similar demonstrations in the eastern part of the country. During the early hours of Friday, May 24, new popular protests were reported in at least two cities in Cuba, in Bayamo, also in Granma province, and in Cienfuegos, in the center of the country.
The protests, once again driven by prolonged power outages and the critical situation of scarcity, were shared through various videos on social media.
In Bayamo, residents of 16 de Rosa Street, in the La Bayamesa neighborhood, reported that they had been without electric service for more than 36 hours. In one of the videos, loud complaints can be heard in the dark as citizens walked with flashlights.
Another recording shows groups of people gathered on 22nd Street, where, according to witnesses, black berets with dogs arrived to contain the protest. However, shortly after, electricity service was restored, seemingly in response to public pressure.
In Cienfuegos, specifically in Parque Martí, another video shared in the early morning shows shouts and sounds of agitation. While some users questioned the timeliness of the footage, others pointed out that the discontent in the city is real and that new protests have occurred in recent hours.
The protests are set against a energy crisis that has plunged Cuba into prolonged and widespread power outages. According to data from the Electric Union (UNE), on May 27, the National Electric System (SEN) had a mere availability of 1,970 MW, compared to a demand of 2,980 MW, leading to a reduction of 1,045 MW due to capacity deficit. It is estimated that during the nighttime peak, the impact could reach 1,510 MW.
This deficit is due to multiple factors, including breakdowns in generating units, maintenance in thermoelectric plants, and a lack of fuel. Additionally, 74 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, resulting in an additional loss of 512 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the protests in Manzanillo and the energy crisis in Cuba
Why did protests take place in Manzanillo?
The protests in Manzanillo were prompted by the prolonged blackouts that have impacted the quality of life of the residents. The lack of electricity for over 20 hours led the inhabitants of the La Kaba neighborhood to take to the streets with pots in hand to voice their discontent. This situation is part of an energy crisis that affects almost all of Cuba, generating increasing public discontent.
How many people were detained during the protests in Manzanillo?
During the protests in Manzanillo, at least three people were detained by the Police. One of the detainees, Yongel Quiala, remained in custody until Tuesday, while the other two were released after paying a fine of 10,000 pesos. The arrests and mistreatment of the protesters reflect the government's repression in the face of growing social discontent.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests and the energy crisis?
The Cuban government's response to the protests has included repression, with detentions and the presence of police forces. Additionally, they have attempted to delegitimize the demonstrations, labeling them as part of an "enemy strategy." In some cases, the government has organized food fairs as a palliative measure, but these actions do not address the structural issues of the energy crisis and supply shortages.
What is the current situation of the electricity system in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a serious energy crisis with a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity. According to data from the Electric Union, the current availability is 1,970 MW, compared to a demand of 2,980 MW, resulting in prolonged and widespread blackouts. This deficit is due to issues such as breakdowns in generating units, maintenance, and a lack of fuel.
What other Cuban cities have experienced protests similar to those in Manzanillo?
In addition to Manzanillo, protests have been recorded in cities such as Bayamo, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. These demonstrations have also been driven by prolonged blackouts and food shortages, reflecting the widespread social discontent across the island. In Bayamo, for instance, residents reported power outages lasting more than 36 hours, which led to significant protests.
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