In the midst of the general blackout this Saturday, Cubans extend their days of protest against the regime: in the Havana neighborhood of El Vedado, a pots-and-pans protest takes place.
The images of the sound of pots and pans clanging in the midst of the general darkness were shared by the activist Magdiel Jorge Castro.
General blackout
A cascading effect caused by the shutdown of unit 6 at the 10 de Octubre thermoelectric plant in Nuevitas, Camagüey, is believed to be the reason for the new widespread blackout this afternoon in Cuba.
"The total disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN) was caused by the shutdown of Unit No. 6 in Nuevitas. From that moment on, a cascading effect occurred in the machines that were online," reported the Electric Union (UNE) on Facebook.
"At this moment, a protocol is being implemented for the gradual recovery of the National Electric System (SEN), and micro islands, or microsystems, are being activated to provide power to vital centers, hospitals, and aqueducts. The restoration process is managed from the National Load Dispatch and is carried out in conjunction with the dispatch offices of each province and the technologies that supply energy to the country, with the added presence of Unión Cuba Petróleo," they added, without providing a clear date for the stabilization of the service.
Previously, the UNE reported that the new massive blackout occurred following a total disconnection of the National Electro-Energy System (SEN) at 6:38 p.m.
It is about the second total disconnection of the SEN in one week, in the context of a severe energy crisis characterized by the aging of thermal power plants, fuel shortages, and constant breakdowns, factors that lead to daily blackouts in much of the country. This situation is further exacerbated by the oil blockade imposed by the Trump Administration.
Protests on Friday in Havana
In the early hours of Friday, a strong protest and bonfires were reported in the neighborhood of Santos Suárez, a district in the 10 de Octubre municipality of Havana, despite the police presence in the area.
According to videos circulating on Facebook, among the numerous midnight demonstrations, one of the main focuses was recorded in the Santo Suárez neighborhood, specifically at Santa Irene and Calzada de Diez de Octubre, where residents took to the streets banging pots and pans.
In parallel, aprotest involving pots and pans was reported near the Esquina de Toyo, one of the most active locations during the protests on July 11, 2021.
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