Dozens of Cubans have taken to the streets in Havana following several consecutive days of severe blackouts and water shortages.
Videos and images shared on social media show spontaneous protests on Monte Street, in the municipality of Centro Habana.
In the scenes, shared by users such as Saúl Manuel, Enrique Hernández, and pages like Patria y Vida, sounds of banging pots and pans can be heard, along with slogans like “Freedom!” and even a bonfire lit in the middle of the street.
Some people blocked intersections like Monte and Antón Recio, sitting in the middle of the street as a sign of peaceful protest, including several children.
One of the posts shows images taken in the neighborhood of Los Sitios, highlighting the presence of women and minors who actively participated in the demonstration amidst the darkness, without electricity or water, following a day marked by the collapse of basic services.
"They're kids, oh no, kids, don't even think about doing anything because I know you," warned activist Lara Crofs. "Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, you are directly responsible if anything happens to any of those children," she added.
The ordeal of power outages
The protest occurs after Havana faced one of the most critical days of the year in terms of power outages, according to the Electric Company of the capital, which reported an impact of 296 MW due to low generation availability. Blocks 3, 4, 5, and 6 were classified as emergency zones and remained without electricity for hours.
The blackouts have been continuous and widespread throughout the city, with outages lasting up to 24 hours, leading to growing social discontent. Several citizens have expressed their frustration over the lack of solutions and the repeated official explanations, while facing sweltering temperatures, mosquitoes, water shortages, and the inability to carry out daily tasks such as cooking or washing.
The fact that even Havana, a city prioritized by the government for electricity supply, experiences such prolonged outages reflects the severity of the energy crisis the country is facing.
Reports on social media indicated similar demonstrations in the neighborhoods of Lawton and Altahabana, which have also been affected by prolonged blackouts and a lack of essential services, adding to the events in Centro Habana.
Water scarcity, another catalyst for outrage
The lack of potable water is another factor fueling outrage in the capital. In recent days, the state-owned company Aguas de La Habana acknowledged new breaks in the Cuenca Sur pipeline, leaving large areas of the city without service, in some cases for over a month. Residents report that the supply is restored selectively while entire communities survive on one or two truckloads per week.
The situation is also affecting central neighborhoods like El Vedado, where a resident shared on social media the ordeal of living more than 60 days without running water and having to pay up to 25,000 pesos for a private truck that barely lasts two days. “We wake up at 8 in the morning to fetch water for the day from a tap near Tribuna,” he reported.
A government without answers
So far, the authorities have not provided specific timelines for the normalization of service or immediate solutions. The Electric Company of Havana has indicated that the restoration of electricity will be carried out according to the national system's guidance, prioritizing the areas that have been affected the longest, without offering details or clear commitments.
Meanwhile, citizens continue to report institutional abandonment, the deterioration of the national electricity system, and the lack of effective measures to address a crisis that has put the daily lives of millions of Cubans on hold.
Frequently Asked Questions about Protests in Centro Habana due to Power Outages and Water Shortages
Why are protests occurring in Centro Habana?
The protests in Centro Habana are due to the ongoing power outages and the scarcity of drinking water that have affected residents for days. The lack of electricity and water has created an unsustainable situation, prompting citizens to take to the streets to demand immediate solutions to this crisis that impacts their daily lives.
What is the cause of the blackouts in Havana?
The main cause of power outages in Havana is the low availability of electricity generation, which has forced the Electric Company of the capital to cut 296 MW due to emergency measures. This situation reflects a national energy crisis that has worsened recently due to a lack of investment and maintenance in the country's electrical system.
How does the water shortage affect the residents of Havana?
The water shortage is severely affecting the residents of Havana as many areas have gone weeks without regular supply. This forces families to rely on water trucks, which are insufficient to meet basic daily needs. The situation has become critical in central neighborhoods like El Vedado, where citizens have had to pay exorbitant prices for water from private sources.
What response has the Cuban government given to this crisis?
So far, the Cuban government has not provided concrete solutions or timelines for normalizing the supply of electricity and water. Authorities have only indicated that the restoration of electricity will follow the guidelines of the national system, prioritizing the areas with the longest outages, but without offering clear commitments or effective measures to resolve the crisis.
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