Residents of the Regla municipality in Havana took to the streets to protest the ongoing water shortage by blocking a street with buckets and containers, demanding the restoration of their water supply. A video exclusively obtained by our newsroom shows protesters voicing their frustrations over the days-long lack of water, prompting them to shut down the street as a form of protest. "Here in Regla, we're closing the street with buckets and containers because of the water shortage," the locals declared.
During the demonstration, police officers confronted a resident about previous complaints made to local institutions, suggesting that she should have stayed at the local government office until she received an answer. The community members organized to halt traffic using household items to draw attention to their plight. They are calling on the authorities to provide a clear timeline for the normalization of water services and implement temporary solutions during the current shortage.
As of now, no official plan has been announced to restore water supply in the area. Police presence was noted at the scene, but no specific commitments have been made by either the water authority or the municipal government.
Similar protests have erupted across Cuba in response to worsening living conditions. In Marianao, Havana, dozens of residents took to the streets with pots and pans, blocking Avenue 51 to protest the ongoing crisis, power outages, food scarcity, and lack of freedoms. Protesters demanded "light, food, and freedom" while disrupting traffic on this major thoroughfare. Witnesses reported that after several hours of tension, National Revolutionary Police officers arrived, resulting in arrests, though the exact number remains unknown.
The protest in Santa Felicia is part of a growing wave of social unrest in the capital. Demonstrations and pot-banging protests have recently been recorded in municipalities such as Centro Habana, El Cerro, Cojímar, and Old Havana, all linked to power cuts, water shortages, and supply issues.
Understanding the Water Crisis in Cuba
What prompted residents in Regla to block the street?
Residents blocked the street to protest the prolonged water shortage, demanding the restoration of their water supply.
How did the authorities respond to the protest in Regla?
Police officers were present at the protest, but no concrete commitments were made by the water authority or the municipal government regarding the restoration of services.
What other issues are causing protests in Cuba?
In addition to water shortages, protests have been sparked by power outages, food scarcity, and a lack of freedoms across various regions in Cuba.