In the depths of night and amid a prolonged blackout, regime official Susely Morfa González emerged in Santa Clara, leading a police operation designed less to prevent crime than to serve as a stark warning to citizens weary of the ongoing electrical failures. This operation, part of a nationwide "crime prevention and confrontation" exercise, was leveraged by Morfa González, newly appointed to lead the Communist Party in Villa Clara, as a political platform. Her message was unmistakable: the state is vigilant, the streets are monitored, and any signs of dissent will be swiftly suppressed.
"Preventive work is essential for fostering social discipline," stated the leader, encapsulating the regime's strategy to address rising discontent: more control, more patrols, more police presence. This, as municipalities like Caibarién and Cifuentes endure over 14 consecutive hours without power, and citizen complaints continue to rise. The orchestrated display, heavily promoted by official channels, was no coincidence. Unable to provide basic services, the Cuban regime resorts to fear as a tool of governance. Morfa, a symbol of ideological loyalty, plays her expected role: reinforcing the narrative of maintaining order at any cost.
Earlier, Morfa had visited the provincial Electric Company to coordinate load distribution. Yet, rather than providing real solutions, she merely "urged" attention to reports, as the provincial energy deficit approaches 200 MW. Instead of explaining the blackout's causes or assuming responsibility, the regime chooses to project strength in the streets. The nighttime surveillance in Santa Clara, directly overseen by a high-ranking PCC figure, is not a protective measure but an act of intimidation.
The message is clear: protests against blackouts will be met with repression. Susely Morfa, who famously claimed in 2015 to have traveled to a summit in Panama on her psychologist's salary, reappears not to provide answers but to ensure silence prevails.
Civic Protests: Pots and Pans, Signs, and Shouts in the Dark
While the regime deploys its repressive apparatus, Cubans continue to express their frustration in increasingly visible and courageous ways. In recent months, spontaneous protests have erupted in several localities across the country, including pot-banging in Havana neighborhoods like Vedado, Alamar, and Playa, where residents clanged pans and chanted slogans against blackouts and food shortages.
Defiant signs have also appeared on the walls of cities like Regla in Havana and Santa Fe on the Isle of Youth, bearing messages such as "How much longer," "They're killing us," and "Down with communism." These expressions of discontent reflect the growing frustration of the population amid the energy crisis and government repression.
In Bayamo and Cienfuegos, citizens took to the streets to protest prolonged blackouts and food scarcity, facing police repression. Videos shared on social media showed neighbors shouting "We want power, we want food!" while being encircled by law enforcement.
Despite being repressed, these demonstrations highlight a growing civic resistance to the crisis and the regime's lack of solutions. The emergence of signs, pot-banging, and public protests signal that the Cuban people are shedding their fear and demanding real change.
In this context, the presence of figures like Susely Morfa in police operations during blackouts only reinforces the perception of a government more concerned with maintaining control than addressing the issues plaguing its people.
Understanding the Cuban Blackouts and Protests
What are the main causes of the blackouts in Cuba?
The blackouts in Cuba are primarily due to an outdated and failing energy infrastructure, compounded by economic mismanagement and a lack of investment in the energy sector.
How are Cuban citizens responding to the blackouts?
Cuban citizens are increasingly resorting to public protests, including pot-banging demonstrations and displaying defiant signs, to express their frustration and demand solutions.
What role does Susely Morfa play in the Cuban regime's response to protests?
Susely Morfa is actively involved in leading police operations during blackouts, serving as a symbol of the regime's focus on maintaining control and suppressing dissent.