An spontaneous protest erupted on Wednesday night at the intersection of Águila and Monte streets in the Centro Habana municipality, when a group of residents took to the streets to demand the restoration of drinking water service, which they have been without for over 30 days.
The protest was broadcast live on social media by the user Lázaro Díaz Carmona, who showed how residents gathered with empty bottles, buckets, and tanks to block vehicle traffic and demand a response from the authorities.
At the cry of “We want water!”, the protesters voiced their frustration over a situation they deem unsustainable. Among those affected are children, sick individuals, and pregnant women, which exacerbates the health emergency in the community.
"This is unbearable; we have been without water for over a month, and no one is providing us with a solution," the residents reported.
There are many people who did not join the peaceful demonstration out of fear of repression in Cuba. Minutes after the broadcast went viral, State Security agents arrived at the location in an attempt to dissuade the protesters, claiming that "protests solve nothing."
Shortly thereafter, the local representative and several community leaders arrived, asking the residents to end the protest. In return, they promised to “seek immediate solutions”.
However, many residents expressed their skepticism regarding what they consider empty promises, as similar protests have occurred in Centro Habana and the issue remains unresolved. “We've been told that many times and we still don't have water,” stated another neighbor.
The protest highlights the deep social unrest caused by failures in basic services in the Cuban capital, and how desperation begins to break the silence even amid the fear of repression.
Frequently asked questions about the water crisis in Havana
Why did the protests occur in Centro Habana?
The protests in Centro Habana arose because a group of neighbors, fed up with being without drinking water for over 30 days, took to the streets demanding an immediate solution to the supply issue. The lack of drinking water is an unsustainable situation that affects thousands of people, worsened by the inaction of the authorities.
What response have the Cuban authorities given regarding the lack of water?
The authorities sent State Security agents and some local leaders, who asked the protesters to cease their demonstration and promised to seek immediate solutions. However, the residents express skepticism, as they view these promises as empty, a repetition of what they have heard before without any concrete results.
What is the cause of the water crisis in Cuba?
The water crisis in Cuba is due to a combination of factors, including prolonged droughts, failures in the pumping systems, and power outages that affect the supply. According to the president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, deficient infrastructure and a lack of maintenance and investment are other significant causes of the problem.
How does the water crisis affect the population of Havana?
The water crisis severely impacts the population of Havana, as many families have gone months without regular access to drinking water, which affects their hygiene and health. Furthermore, the situation is worsened by power outages that impact water pumping. Citizens are forced to rely on water trucks, which are not always sufficient or accessible to everyone.
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