The wave of protests against the prolonged blackouts once again spread this Tuesday across several locations in Cuba. Reports shared on social media show people banging pots and pans and setting up barricades with fire in various areas of Havana and Santiago de Cuba, marking another day of citizen discontent amid the deep energy crisis the country is experiencing.
One of the first reports came from Chicharrones, in Santiago de Cuba, where independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada posted a video along with the message: "The pots are clanging in Chicharrones, Stgo de Cuba."
In Havana, images of new protests also began to circulate. The Cuban artist Saúl Manuel reported on a closure of Calzada del Cerro by local residents, where several bonfires were seen burning on the public road during the night.
The Cuban Yisell Boutros Guerrero shared a video showing the burning of trash and several people in the street.
Shortly before, he had shared images of another protest in La Cumbre, in San Miguel del Padrón, where a bonfire could be seen in the middle of the street. He later stated that there was also a "strong pot-banging" demonstration taking place in Colón, Central Havana.
So far, there is no official information regarding these events or any possible arrests related to the protests.
A new night of tension
Reports arrive just two days after neighbors of Consulado and Refugio in Centro Habana staged a pot-banging protest with fire in the street and shouts against the police presence, in a demonstration documented by journalist Mario J. Pentón.
During the weekend, there were also demonstrations in Lawton, where residents took to the streets with pots and pans, lit bonfires, and demanded “We want electricity!” and “Freedom!”. Days earlier, another pot banging took place in El Vedado, after more than 30 consecutive hours without electrical service.
The sequence of protests reflects a growing social unrest in various municipalities of the capital and has now also reached Santiago de Cuba.
Neighborhoods worn out by the blackouts
The resurgence of protests coincides with increasingly frequent reports of extreme power outages.
On Monday, CiberCuba reported that residents of Veguita de Galo, in Santiago de Cuba, complained about being without electricity for 26 consecutive days due to a transformer malfunction. According to the residents, repeated efforts made to the authorities have only received the same response: "You have to wait."
The energy crisis continues to worsen following several recent collapses of the National Electroenergy System (SEN), which throughout July has caused widespread blackouts across the country. In numerous provinces, power outages exceed 20 hours a day, while thousands of families also face issues with water supply and food preservation.
In this context, the noisy protests have once again become a way for communities to express their dissatisfaction after weeks of enduring high temperatures and long periods without electricity.
The reactions on social media
The posts about the new protests with pots and pans generated dozens of supportive comments and messages that reflect the growing discontent among some citizens regarding the situation in the country.
"The day we stop being afraid and come together to demand they leave, that day we will be free. Down with everything," wrote a user.
In turn, another Cuban remarked, "The Cuban people deserve freedom."
These comments reflect some of the reactions circulating on social media as new reports of protests and demonstrations are emerging across the country.
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