A human rights watchdog, Cubalex, has reported that more than a dozen individuals were detained by state security forces following a demonstration in Marianao, Havana. The protest, which took place earlier this week, was sparked by ongoing power outages and severe water shortages.
According to information shared by the non-governmental organization on social media, residents of the Santa Felicia neighborhood took to the streets on Wednesday, October 8th. They were later transported to VIVAC detention center. The exact identities and conditions of those detained remain unknown, as Cubalex noted in a Friday update.
The organization also highlighted the arbitrary arrest of Liván Gómez Castillo, an activist and coordinator for the Partido Unión por Cuba Libre (PUNCLI) in Havana. Authorities attempted to link him to the protests and the appearance of anti-government signs in Marianao, although there was no evidence to support these claims. Cubalex revealed that after reviewing footage of the protests, officials were forced to release Gómez on Thursday, as he was not involved in the incidents.
Despite his release, Gómez received threats of imprisonment and prosecution if any connections between him and the protest signs could be established. Cubalex raised concerns over the regime's use of repression and criminalization of peaceful protests to stifle public dissatisfaction in Cuba.
Protests Reflect Wider Discontent
On Wednesday night, Santa Felicia residents expressed their frustration by banging pots and blocking 51st Avenue, protesting against the ongoing crisis, including power cuts, food shortages, and lack of freedoms. Witnesses stated that after several hours of tension, officers from the National Revolutionary Police arrived and arrested multiple participants.
This protest is part of a larger wave of social unrest across the island, especially in the capital. Recent weeks have seen similar demonstrations and pot-banging protests in other Havana municipalities, including Centro Habana, Cerro, Habana del Este (Cojímar), and La Habana Vieja, all driven by continuous blackouts, water shortages, and scarcity of resources.
Despite the absence of vandalism, physical violence, or property damage, the Cuban government treats these demonstrations as criminal acts, framing them as attempts to disrupt public order. The regime consistently denies the existence of political prisoners in Cuba and dismisses reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that document repression and numerous arbitrary detentions on the island.
In an interview at the end of September, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Deputy Foreign Minister, rejected the accusations of imprisoning protesters, claiming, "Not a single one." He also questioned the validity of the reports from these organizations, labeling them as lacking evidence.
According to data compiled by Prisoners Defenders, Cuba concluded August with a record 1,185 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, the highest number documented to date.
Understanding the Cuban Protests and Government Response
Why are people protesting in Marianao?
Residents of Marianao, like many across Cuba, are protesting due to prolonged power outages, water shortages, food scarcity, and lack of basic freedoms.
How has the government responded to these protests?
The Cuban government has responded with detentions and accusations against protestors, treating peaceful demonstrations as criminal acts and attempting to suppress public dissent.
What is the international perspective on these events?
International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the Cuban government's actions, highlighting repression and numerous arbitrary detentions.