On the evening of May 25, residents of the La Kaba neighborhood in Manzanillo took to the streets, banging pots and pans, after enduring over 20 hours without electricity. This demonstration, driven by the relentless blackouts affecting nearly all of Cuba, underscores the growing public frustration over the energy crisis that exacerbates the already challenging living conditions on the island.
According to reports from Martí Noticias, police detained at least three individuals during the protest. One of them, identified as Yongel Quiala, remained in custody as of Tuesday, while the other two were released following the imposition of a hefty fine of 10,000 pesos.
A local resident, José Fonseca, mentioned that people took to the streets with pots in hand to voice their dissatisfaction. "Many hours without power; out of 24, only 2 hours," he stated.
Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia revealed on social media that one protester, Addel Céspedes, was severely beaten by authorities. "They are abusers! He can’t even stand up!" she wrote, adding that the protester's family managed to see him and verify his condition. Céspedes lives in Concepción, between Purísima and San Salvador, in Manzanillo.
The protest in Manzanillo is part of a wave of similar demonstrations occurring in the eastern part of the country. In the early hours of May 24, further protests erupted in at least two Cuban cities: Bayamo, also in the Granma province, and Cienfuegos, located in the central region.
The grievances, again spurred by ongoing blackouts and the dire scarcity situation, were widely shared through various videos on social media. In Bayamo, residents on Calle 16 de Rosa, in the La Bayamesa district, reported being without electricity for more than 36 hours. In one of the videos, people can be heard shouting vocally in the darkness, moving around with flashlights.
Another video shows groups gathering on Calle 22, where, as witnesses reported, black berets with dogs were present to control the protest. However, shortly thereafter, electricity service was restored, seemingly in response to public pressure.
In Cienfuegos, particularly in Parque Martí, another video from the early hours showed shouts and the sounds of unrest. While some questioned the video's timeliness, others confirmed that the discontent in the city is genuine, with recent protests occurring.
These protests are set against the backdrop of an energy crisis that has plunged Cuba into widespread and prolonged blackouts. As of May 27, data from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) indicated that the National Electric System (SEN) had an availability of only 1,970 MW against a demand of 2,980 MW, leading to a capacity deficit of 1,045 MW. It is estimated that during peak nighttime hours, this shortfall could reach 1,510 MW.
The deficit arises from multiple issues, including breakdowns in generating units, maintenance work at thermoelectric plants, and fuel shortages. Furthermore, 74 distributed generation plants are offline due to a lack of fuel, resulting in an additional loss of 512 MW.
Understanding the Manzanillo Protests and Energy Crisis
What sparked the protests in Manzanillo?
The protests in Manzanillo were triggered by prolonged power outages, with residents experiencing over 20 hours without electricity, reflecting a broader discontent with the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba.
How many people were detained during the protest?
At least three individuals were detained by the police during the protest in Manzanillo, with one still in custody and two released after paying a fine.
What are the causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to various factors, including breakdowns in generating units, maintenance at thermoelectric plants, and fuel shortages, leading to significant power outages.