The Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla urged the rest of the country to join the protests and pot-banging demonstrations that have taken place in Havana for several consecutive days amid the ongoing blackouts.
In a live transmission shared on their social media, Calzadilla questioned why the protests are mainly concentrated in the capital and called for support from other provinces.
"It is concerning that at a time like this, where Havana has already experienced six nights of protests with pots and pans, of going out into the streets, of clashes with the police, of recording, of arrests... the rest of the country seems to be in a state of acceptance," he stated.
During her intervention, the activist stressed that local protests are difficult to sustain without broader citizen participation throughout the country.
"They are unsustainable over time unless everyone comes together," he said, while emphasizing that the situation experienced by the capital also impacts the rest of the Cubans.
Calzadilla stated that the protests should not be seen as an issue exclusive to the people of Havana, but rather as a situation that involves the entire society. "What the people of Havana are doing needs support because it is the only way they can truly diminish the repressive forces," he expressed.
He also emphasized that a change in the country will not happen if the population does not openly express its discontent. "Unless the people of Cuba truly demonstrate their dissatisfaction and show that they are willing to seek change in the country, we will achieve nothing," he stated.
The activist has been living in Spain for several years, from where she continues to advocate for the freedom of Cuba and participates in aid projects for people on the island.
His statements come in the context of protests related to the energy crisis. In recent days, there have been reports of pot banging in various municipalities of Havana, including Diez de Octubre, Old Havana, Guanabacoa, La Lisa, and El Cerro, amid prolonged blackouts that affect thousands of families.
Residents have reported power outages lasting several hours, exacerbated by high temperatures, water shortages, and difficulties in preserving food. The sound of pots and pans banging, coming from homes and balconies, has become one of the most visible forms of citizen protest against the deterioration of basic services.
Meanwhile, legal advisory organizations have documented arrests related to these protests. A recent monitoring report noted at least 14 arrests linked to protests and noise demonstrations that have occurred since March 6 in various locations across the country, amid a backdrop of growing discontent over blackouts and living conditions.
Among the reported cases are arrests in neighborhoods of Havana such as Lawton and Marianao, as well as detentions in provinces like Granma and Ciego de Ávila. In some instances, the detained individuals were later released, while in others, their current status has not been confirmed.
Nighttime protests and pot-banging have occurred repeatedly over several days in various locations across the capital, reflecting public discontent regarding the energy crisis facing the country.
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