In the past month of May, Cuba was rocked by a wave of protests and citizen denunciations, registering a total of 716 demonstrations, according to reports from the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC).
This number represents an increase of 11.6% compared to the 633 recorded in April, and 10.2% compared to those recorded in March, a month in which massive demonstrations took place in various parts of the national territory, known as 17M.
The constant power outages, with cuts of up to 20 hours, were the main catalyst for these protests, which materialized in pot-banging, graffiti, sit-ins, and a flood of complaints on social networks and media.
The Public Services category dominated the protests, accumulating 169 events, driven by the energy crisis. Daily deficits in electricity generation reached up to 1,500 megawatts, severely affecting the daily life of Cubans. In contrast, protests against Repressive Acts totaled 145, while challenges to the Police State reached 132.
Although Havana, with its 233 protests, was the epicenter of the demonstrations, discontent spread throughout the entire island.
Temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and lack of electricity for entire days led the population to take to the streets in search of answers.
In Santiago de Cuba, for example, 'protest congas' were recorded in five different neighborhoods, while in Baracoa (Guantánamo) people were demanding electricity and food in street demonstrations.
The discontent over blackouts also manifested itself in various forms of protest in other locations.
In Las Tunas and La Lisa (Havana), pots and pans were banged during the power outages, and in Juraguá (Cienfuegos) and Camino de La Habana (Sancti Spíritus), the population also mobilized.
Social networks became a battlefield where citizens expressed their frustration and demanded immediate solutions.
To contain the popular effervescence, the regime intensified repression. A total of 145 repressive acts were reported, including intimidating deployments of the police and the special forces known as the Black Berets of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
These actions aimed to deter the population from continuing with the protests, although they did not succeed in calming the citizens' spirits.
The food crisis and the lack of citizen security
The Food, Inflation, and Agriculture category recorded 94 protests, reflecting the serious food situation in the country.
Deliveries of the basic food basket were limited to a few pounds of rice and legumes, while prices of essential products such as oil, bread, and eggs continued to rise.
Entire families were forced to spend more than 70% of their income on food, leading some to resort to extreme practices to survive, such as scavenging for leftovers in the trash or even hunting stray animals.
Although the category of Citizen Insecurity remained stable with 82 protests, the OCC recorded 16 murders and homicides during the month, including femicides and acts of violence motivated by robberies or settling of scores.
Reports of missing persons and thefts were also common, exacerbating the sense of insecurity among the population.
Public health, epidemiological situation, and other social conflicts
The protests in the field of Public Health continued, with patients becoming increasingly dependent on social networks, public charity, and the informal market to access medical care.
The situation in hospitals is deplorable, with recent outbreaks of diseases such as tuberculosis and Oropouche fever exacerbating the health crisis.
The OCC also recorded 48 protests related to other social conflicts, including the loneliness of mothers whose children have emigrated, neglect in nursing homes, and lenient sentences for pedophiles.
The living conditions of the most vulnerable Cubans continue to deteriorate, with many resorting to precarious jobs to survive.
Given this scenario, the Catholic priest of Esmeralda, Alberto Reyes Pías, expressed in a post on May 24 that Cuba needs a change of system.
According to Reyes Pías, it is not enough to solve the immediate problems of electricity or food supply; the country requires a profound transformation that allows citizens to regain ownership of their lives and the freedom to build their future.
In summary, the month of May in Cuba was marked by an intensification of social discontent, with a significant increase in protests and citizen complaints. The energy and food crisis, along with the growing insecurity and the deplorable state of public services and healthcare, have led Cubans to demand profound changes in their country.
Note: This summary provides an overview of the situation in Cuba during the month of May, based on reports from the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC). The information reflects the seriousness of the crises faced by the population and the regime's response to the increasing demands of the citizens.
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