Gibara, Holguín — Early morning of September 14, 2025. Dozens of neighbors took to the streets with pots and lanterns to protest against blackouts and the crisis. Amid slogans of unity and demands for freedom, the demonstrators reported having been without electricity for over 24 hours, with only a brief restoration of half an hour during the day.
In several videos shared by citizens, shouts can be heard such as "The power, the power... we want the power!" and the slogan "The people united will never be defeated!", chanted in unison by the crowd. The footage shows women, men, and young people marching through dark streets, banging pots and demanding immediate solutions.
"Incredible, sir: the entire town of Gibara with pots in the street... all day without power... they turned it on for 30 minutes and nothing."
The outbreak in Gibara occurs in a national context marked by the energy crisis and shortages. Days earlier, on September 10, Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout following the collapse of the National Electric System, which left much of the country in the dark and highlighted the accumulated issues in electricity generation.
Consulted neighbors indicate that the combination of prolonged blackouts, food scarcity, and deterioration of basic services has increased social unrest and prompted nighttime protests with pot-banging in several provinces. In Gibara, the demands focused on the stable restoration of electrical service and addressing the urgent needs of the community.
As of the closing of this report, there were no detailed official reports on arrests or incidents involving law enforcement in the area. Citizen testimonies indicate a widespread and sustained mobilization during the early hours, driven by accumulated frustration due to the lack of solutions.
The protest in Gibara adds to other demonstrations that occurred in 2025, reflecting the depth of the crisis and the impact that power outages have on daily life: from food preservation and access to water to safety and nighttime rest.
This story is currently developing. We will update with more details as new information and additional confirmations become available.
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