In response to recent nighttime protests in Bayamo triggered by prolonged power outages and widespread shortages, the Cuban government organized food fairs across various municipalities in the province of Granma, including Pilón. Images shared on Facebook by Dayamis Silva Lara, a worker for the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Pilón, depict stands offering agricultural products such as corn and other staple foods under the banner of a “Saturday fair for everyone.”
This approach is part of a familiar pattern where basic goods are distributed as a short-term measure to quell public dissatisfaction—a strategy that has been recently applied in other provinces like Santiago de Cuba. Last Wednesday, following similar protests in Santiago, the regime hastily distributed donated rice and pasta, providing only one kilogram per person to meet March’s food quota.
Despite the delayed response, state media portrayed the distribution in a triumphant light, emphasizing the operation’s logistics over the structural deficiencies that necessitated it. Early on Friday, May 24, Bayamo and Cienfuegos saw another wave of public demonstrations due to more than 36 hours without electricity, according to residents of the La Bayamesa neighborhood. Videos circulating on social media show citizens marching with flashlights, chanting slogans, and confronting the presence of repressive forces, including black berets with dogs.
In Cienfuegos, the unrest centered around Parque Martí, where shouting and disturbances were reported during the early hours. Although some posts were questioned, several witnesses confirmed the protests' authenticity and the growing discontent.
The recent demonstrations add to a series of mobilizations in eastern Cuban cities like Santiago de Cuba and Holguín, where cries of “We want food!” and “Down with the dictatorship!” are increasingly frequent. While the food fairs provide temporary relief, they fail to address the core issues: a collapsed economy, inefficient agricultural production, and a chronic reliance on donations and ad-hoc operations.
Cuban Protests and Government Response
What prompted the recent protests in Bayamo?
The protests in Bayamo were sparked by prolonged power outages and widespread shortages, which have been a source of significant public frustration.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
In response, the government organized food fairs in several municipalities within the Granma province, providing basic agricultural goods to the population.
Are these food fairs a long-term solution?
No, the food fairs offer only temporary relief and do not address the fundamental issues of economic collapse and inefficient agricultural production in Cuba.