The city of Bayamo in Granma province recently witnessed another day of protests, as residents from various neighborhoods, fed up with extended power outages and food shortages, took to the streets seeking tangible solutions. Chanting slogans such as "The children can't go to school!" and "We've had enough talk!" the protesters voiced their frustration in front of Communist Party leaders and local government officials, who were heavily guarded by Ministry of the Interior (MININT) agents and Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) personnel.
Videos circulated on social media captured the tense scenes on the night of May 23, showing citizens confronting authorities on streets like 16th and 22nd, demanding electricity and food. One recording depicts a FAR officer with the rank of colonel trying to address the crowd, flanked by officials and a MININT lieutenant colonel. Nevertheless, the people of Bayamo responded with boos, complaints of hunger, and calls for freedom.
Eyewitness accounts and social media users reported that following the arrival of the "black berets" and canine units, the power supply was abruptly restored in some areas, which many interpreted as a reaction to public pressure. "Communists are cowards. Don't give up, the people are in charge!" wrote a Bayamo resident online.
Official media, such as CNC TV Granma, acknowledged the events but framed them as a "dialogue with the population" by the authorities in response to the "complex energy situation" in the country.
These demonstrations add to a wave of protests that have rocked eastern and central Cuba in recent days, with mobilizations occurring in Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, and other areas affected by prolonged blackouts and critical food shortages.
Meanwhile, the official response from Havana continues to criminalize the discontent. In recent statements, ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel labeled the protests as part of an "enemy strategy" and insisted that "disorder will not be tolerated." Furthermore, he claimed that the protesters do not represent the majority, downplaying the extent of dissatisfaction in a country where spontaneous demonstrations multiply with each blackout or lack of basic food supplies.
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), posted a photo in the dark alongside residents of the capital to show solidarity, while official media attempted to downplay the viral impact of the images. The gesture, however, faced sharp criticism on social media as part of the regime's usual propaganda.
Despite the regime's efforts to demobilize and delegitimize these civic expressions, public pressure continues to rise. While the government tries to contain the crisis with sporadic deliveries of rice and pasta, social discontent is mounting in an island where empty promises no longer suffice to quell hunger or anger.
The situation in Bayamo is part of a series of recent demonstrations in other eastern Cuban locations, where hunger and the lack of electricity have driven the population to the breaking point. The government's response—more repression than solutions—reveals a fear of a larger-scale social upheaval.
Understanding the Bayamo Protests and Government Response
What sparked the protests in Bayamo?
The protests in Bayamo were triggered by prolonged power outages and severe food shortages, prompting residents to demand immediate and concrete solutions from the government.
How did the government respond to the protests?
The government responded to the protests with increased security presence, including MININT agents and FAR personnel. While some power was restored, officials framed the events as part of an ongoing dialogue with the population.
What has been the reaction from Cuban leadership?
Cuban leadership, including Miguel Díaz-Canel, has dismissed the protests as part of an "enemy strategy" and maintained that those protesting do not represent the majority of the population.