The Santa Rita Popular Council, in Jiguaní, Granma, was the site of a citizen protest this Wednesday, amidst the rising tide of demonstrations in Cuba against blackouts, food shortages, and water scarcity.
The Cuban activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia shared several videos on social media showing residents of Santa Rita protesting in the streets, shouting slogans against the economic and social situation imposed by the Cuban regime.
"They took away the internet, but they are in the streets!", wrote Salcedo Verdecia on his profile, highlighting that despite the censorship and the cuts in connection, the people decided to energetically protest against the prolonged blackouts and the increasingly precarious living conditions.
The government of Santa Rita addressed the public. They stated that they have the water trucks to supply the territory, but they cannot move the vehicles because there is no fuel. The State only allocated oil to them for generators in areas of utmost necessity, such as hospitals.
The protest in Granma is part of a series of demonstrations that took place this week in various locations across the country, including universities in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos, where students expressed their frustration over the power outages and the lack of basic resources for studying and feeding themselves.
Protests have also been reported in Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, and other locations in eastern Cuba, where public discontent is growing as the national electric-energy system collapses and shortages in the country worsen.
The regime's response: Criminalization and propaganda
Instead of listening to the demands of the people, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has chosen to discredit the protesters. During episode 30 of his podcast Desde la Presidencia, he again labeled those who peacefully protest as “antisocial” and “criminals.”
Díaz-Canel compared the current wave of discontent to the Maleconazo of 1994 and stated that there is "external manipulation" behind the protests.
These statements starkly contrast with the growing social unrest on the island and reinforce the disconnection between the ruling elite and the citizens, who are facing one of the most severe crises in decades.
While the government tries to control the narrative, reality asserts itself. The Cuban people, increasingly impoverished and desperate, have begun to break the silence, bravely taking to the streets to demand minimum conditions for living with dignity.
In Santa Rita, as in other towns across the country, images of citizens protesting have become a reflection of accumulated despair. A despair that neither internet shutdowns, nor repression, nor official speeches seem to contain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Protests in Cuba over Blackouts and Economic Crisis
Why are protests occurring in Granma and other parts of Cuba?
The protests in Granma and other parts of Cuba are due to extended blackouts and shortages of food and water, which has led to a growing public discontent. Citizens are taking to the streets to demand better living conditions, despite the repression and censorship imposed by the regime.
How has the Cuban regime responded to the protests over blackouts?
The Cuban regime has responded to the protests with criminalization and propaganda, disqualifying demonstrators as "antisocial" and "criminals." Furthermore, they have implemented internet shutdowns and deployed repressive forces in an attempt to control the narrative and silence public discontent.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to alleviate the economic and energy crisis?
The Cuban government has organized food fairs as a temporary measure, but these actions do not address the structural problems of the Cuban economy. They have also promised the development of photovoltaic parks and an increase in local agricultural production, although these projects have been mentioned before without concrete results.
What is the current situation of the electrical system in Cuba?
The electrical system in Cuba faces a significant capacity deficit, resulting in prolonged blackouts across the country. This deficit is caused by breakdowns in generating units, maintenance work on thermoelectric plants, and a lack of fuel, severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans.
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