Dawn in Centro Habana: shouts of "SIN...!" and "Down with!"

In the early hours of Tuesday, neighbors from the San Leopoldo neighborhood in the capital municipality of Centro Habana protested shouting “WITHOUT...!” in response to the prolonged lack of electricity that had already exceeded 70 hours. In a profound darkness, only interrupted by the white color of a dog crossing the street, shouts can be heard from the houses. In the few captured seconds, slogans and chants such as “DOWN!” “WITHOUT...” and the name Diaz-Canel are mixed with other protests that are difficult to understand.

The user who shared the recording on their networks clarified that a patrol passed by but continued in the opposite direction.

The protests in San Leopoldo add to a growing discontent in the Cuban capital, where prolonged blackouts have caused disturbances and demands in various areas of the city.

On October 20, 2024, the streets of Santiago de Cuba were filled with protesters due to a general blackout that left the population without electricity for over 48 hours. Citizens, tired of the lack of solutions, took to the streets with pots and pans demanding "electricity and food." The presence of the police and State Security agents was notable, attempting to contain the protests that spread throughout the day.

That same day, in Havana, the situation was replicated with pot-banging protests in several neighborhoods after 48 hours without electricity. The desperation of the people of Havana became evident in areas like Nuevo Vedado and Old Havana, where the sounds of pots resonated as a sign of protest. The pressure exerted by the neighbors led to the restoration of electrical service in some neighborhoods, but the discontent persists.

On October 21, the crisis continued in Manicaragua, Villa Clara, where residents protested in front of the municipal government headquarters. The protesters, some barefoot and armed with pots, demanded answers regarding the crisis affecting their communities, especially in the context of prolonged blackouts. Police repression was present once again, attempting to dissuade the population that is calling for urgent solutions.