Four detained following the protest in Maqueicito, Guantánamo, over lack of electricity and water

The community of Maqueicito, in the province of Guantánamo, woke up under heavy police surveillance following the protest that took place on Thursday due to the lack of electricity and water, according to the independent media ClickCuba.

Neighbors confirmed the arrest of at least four people: a woman and three young men identified as Maciel Diéguez, his nephew Walter Diéguez, Yordano Leiva, and Pedro Roberto Sarmiento Almaguer.

According to the testimonies collected, the arrests took place hours after dozens of residents, including many minors, took to the streets and burned tires to demand the restoration of the electrical service, which had been interrupted for more than ten days.

Local sources indicated that the detainees may have been transferred to the State Security facilities located on the El Salvador highway, on the outskirts of the city of Guantánamo, although there is no official confirmation.

"Since last night, Maqueicito has been taken over by State Security. There are people at the bus stop that we don't know, and no one can record or discuss the matter," recounted a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous.

The atmosphere in the area is one of tension and fear. Residents report that since the night of the protest, there has been a constant presence of police officers and vehicles. The families of those detained are trying to find out their whereabouts, while the authorities remain silent.

The protest of Maqueicito was the first publicly recorded in that town, reflecting the growing discontent in the eastern region of the country, which has been one of the most affected by the lack of resources and the slow recovery following Hurricane Melissa.

The residents of Maqueicito, part of the popular council of Paraguay, took to the streets on Thursday after ten days without electricity due to the hurricane. On that occasion, the neighbors reported a lack of official responses and the suspension of internet service during the protest.

The weather phenomenon caused severe damage in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, leaving thousands of families without shelter, water, or food. In this context, Maqueicito's protest adds to the demands of a population exhausted by power outages, shortages, and governmental silence in the face of a crisis that continues to impact the entire eastern region of the country.