The residents of Baire, located in the municipality of Contramaestre, took to the streets to express their frustration over persistent power outages, food shortages, and lack of potable water that have plagued the eastern region for weeks. Amid cries of "Baire is heated," people demanded freedom and shouted slogans against the government, such as "Down with Díaz-Canel!"
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported on Facebook that shortly after 7:40 p.m., individuals from La Salada, El Transformador, and Avicinia neighborhoods began banging pots and chanting anti-government slogans during a power blackout that had lasted over 30 hours.
In a familiar move by the regime, internet access was cut throughout the municipality to prevent the spread of images and testimonies. Connectivity was restored about 30 minutes later, allowing several residents to share videos and post supportive messages on social media.
Protest Tactics and Government Response
To avoid police roadblocks, demonstrators avoided the main highway, opting instead for inner streets as they marched along Avenida 8 and Avenida Central (Avenida 4) to reach Baire's Central Park. There, they shouted outside the police unit and near the home of the Popular Council president, Salvador.
Videos captured groups of Cubans banging on pots, walking through darkened streets, and chanting "Liberty!" and "We want power and food!" while neighbors watched from the sidewalks, cheering them on.
Tensions Rise Amid Government Crackdown
Contramaestre awoke to a heavy police presence, with patrols, Ministry of Interior agents, and plainclothes officers surrounding major streets and parks. While the number of arrests remains unknown, local activists fear a wave of detentions in the coming days.
Opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer García, who was recently released and exiled to the United States, shared a message on social media declaring that "Baire once again symbolizes rebellion against tyranny." He reminded his audience of the historical significance of the town, where the Grito de Baire on February 24, 1895, marked the start of the War of Independence against Spain.
Ferrer wrote, "Santiago de Cuba, weary of oppression and hardship, takes to the streets to protest the dictatorship. All of Cuba should amplify these cries for freedom. New political prisoners will emerge; they and their families will need all our support. Down with tyranny!"
Growing Discontent Across Cuba
Cuba is currently enduring one of its worst economic crises in decades, characterized by daily power outages, rampant inflation, shortages, and a lack of medications. The protests in Contramaestre join recent demonstrations in Guantánamo, Holguín, and Camagüey, where citizens, exhausted by misery and repression, demand freedom and change from the government.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What sparked the protests in Baire?
Protests in Baire were ignited by prolonged power outages, food shortages, and inadequate access to clean water, which have severely affected the community.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
The government responded by cutting internet access to prevent the spread of protest images and dispatching security forces to monitor and control the area.
What is the significance of Baire in Cuban history?
Baire holds historical significance as the site of the Grito de Baire on February 24, 1895, which marked the beginning of Cuba's War of Independence against Spain.