The prolonged hours without electricity following the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) this Sunday triggered an outburst of discontent in Santiago de Cuba, where residents took to the streets of the city, accompanied by the sound of banging pots and pans, to demand the restoration of service.
The independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared videos of the incident on his social media. In the footage, shouts of “We want power!” can be heard, accompanied by the banging of pots and metal utensils, a form of protest that is becoming increasingly common on the Island in response to widespread blackouts.
The blackout that affected the eastern part of the country on the night of September 7 left several provinces without service, from Las Tunas to Guantánamo, following a malfunction in the 220 kV Nuevitas-Tunas line. In Santiago, the outages lasted for more than 24 hours, causing desperation among the population.
Although the Electric Union (UNE) reported on recovery efforts and the gradual reconnection of the system, public outrage in Santiago was felt immediately.
Residents reported not only the lack of electricity but also the difficulties in storing food, the scarcity of water, and the inability to carry out daily activities amid oppressive temperatures.
The protests in Santiago de Cuba are not an isolated incident. In recent months, various areas in the eastern region have held similar demonstrations in response to prolonged power outages, which impact daily life and highlight the profound crisis of the Cuban energy system.
The sound of pots and pans on this September 8th in the heart of Santiago is yet another sign of a growing discontent that is rising in tandem with the power outages.
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