In the early hours of October 21, a group of residents from Manicaragua, a municipality in Villa Clara, gathered in front of the municipal government building to peacefully protest against the difficult situation facing the island. Some were barefoot and others without shirts, carrying pots and pans in their hands as they stood in front of the building, which had electricity, even though many neighborhoods in the municipality could be experiencing blackouts.
Videos have circulated on social media showing several uniformed police officers leaving the state headquarters to confront the protesters. In the recordings, chants of “Down with!” and “Abusers!” can be heard, expressing the discontent of residents who are demanding answers and solutions to the crisis facing the country.
On October 18, 2024, the energy crisis in Cuba triggered a massive blackout that left millions of Cubans without electricity. Public discontent was evident on social media, with Cubans reacting with outrage and questioning how long this situation would last. Reports indicate that the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) was due to the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which severely affected the island. Citizens expressed their frustration over the government's lack of effective solutions.
On October 19, a message from the Cuban people on social media called on their leaders to step down. Citizens demanded a radical change, weary of constant unfulfilled promises and a crisis that seems never-ending. On the same day, CNN's correspondent in Cuba, Patrick Oppmann, described the desperation of the population, who expressed their desire to leave the country due to the lack of electricity and essential resources. The journalist shared the sentiments of many Cubans who face the daily consequences of the energy collapse.
On October 20, protests continued in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, where loud pan-banging demonstrations were reported in several municipalities after more than 48 hours without electricity. In the capital, citizens gathered to demand the restoration of service. Images from Santiago de Cuba showed people in the streets calling for an immediate solution. Meanwhile, in Havana, the protests intensified with pan-banging in various areas, including the Bahía neighborhood, where power was finally restored thanks to the pressure from the demonstrators. The discontent of the residents of Havana was evident in the numerous videos shared on social media.
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