Protests in Manicaragua in front of the government headquarters

In the early morning 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 the island is facing. Some were barefoot and others without shirts, the protesters carried pots in their hands as they stood before the building, which had electricity, although many neighborhoods in the municipality might be experiencing power outages.

Videos have circulated on social media showing several uniformed police officers leaving the state headquarters to confront the protesters. In the recordings, the slogans of "Down with!" and "Abusers!" can be heard, expressing the discontent of the neighbors who are demanding answers and solutions to the crisis facing the country.

On October 18, 2024, the energy crisis in Cuba caused a massive blackout that left millions of Cubans without electricity. The population's discontent was reflected on social media, where Cubans reacted with indignation, questioning how much longer this situation would continue. According to reports, the collapse of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) was due to the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, severely affecting the island. Citizens expressed their frustration at the lack of effective solutions from the government.

On October 19, a message from the Cuban people on social media demanded that their leaders relinquish power. Citizens called for a radical change, tired of constant unfulfilled promises and a crisis that seems endless. That same day, CNN correspondent in Cuba, Patrick Oppmann, described the desperation of the population, who expressed to him their desire to leave the country due to the lack of electricity and essential resources. The journalist shared the feelings of many Cubans who face daily the consequences of the energy collapse.

On October 20, protests continued in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, where noise-making demonstrations were reported in several municipalities after more than 48 hours without electricity. In the capital, citizens demonstrated to demand the restoration of service. Images from Santiago de Cuba showed people in the streets demanding an immediate solution. Meanwhile, in Havana, protests intensified with noise-making demonstrations in different areas, including the Bahía neighborhood, where electricity was finally restored thanks to the pressure from the protesters. The discontent of the people of Havana was evident in the numerous videos shared on social media.