"The blockade is internal, not external," a woman from Guantanamo is heard saying as she confronts a local leader, who responds with a sarcastic look.
This powerful statement from a frustrated Cuban was shared by journalist Mario Vallejo and appears to relate to the recent protest in the Ho Chi Minh neighborhood of Guantanamo City.
Protest Ignites in Guantanamo
On Friday, several residents of Guantanamo, including the woman seen in the video, took to the streets demanding "answers" and immediate aid due to the lack of potable water and electricity following Hurricane Melissa's devastation.
The gathering, which attracted around a hundred people, highlighted the prolonged absence of basic services, food shortages, and the lack of official updates on recovery efforts. Tensions remained high even after the arrival of police and State Security officers, who eventually dispersed the crowd.
Voices of Desperation
Reports from José Raúl Gallegos and Martí Noticias paint a picture of institutional neglect and social urgency.
"We are desperate. We have no power, no water, and no one is giving us answers. There are children and elderly here who cannot continue like this," expressed a local resident who contacted our newsroom anonymously.
The protesters confronted local officials and workers from the electrical company.
"This is a dictatorship, the whole world knows it," a source told our newsroom. "We are not dogs; we are human beings," they added, questioning, "How long will this abuse continue?"
There were also allegations that "there are donations they want to take" while people have been "sleeping for days without electricity."
Community Outcry
The protest was centered at the intersection of Moncada and 12 South streets, near a tent serving as the neighborhood's ration store.
According to activist Miguel Ángel López Herrera, a local resident, frustrations boiled over when, after months of shortages, families received only "two pounds of rice," as reported by Martí Noticias.
"People can't take it anymore. There are too many illnesses, no medicine. Every home has been affected by the hurricane, many without roofs," he stated.
Videos circulating on social media captured the moment residents demanded the presence of authorities and "an effective response" to the humanitarian crisis.
Although there were no arrests reported, the protest dispersed following police and State Security intervention. Local sources warn that tensions remain high and the restoration of services is still uncertain.
Key Questions About the Guantanamo Protests
What sparked the protests in Guantanamo?
The protests were sparked by the lack of basic services such as water and electricity following Hurricane Melissa, along with food shortages and inadequate information on recovery efforts.
How did the authorities respond to the protest?
The authorities responded by sending police and State Security officers to disperse the protesters. There were no reported arrests, but tensions remain high.
What are the main grievances of the Guantanamo residents?
The main grievances include prolonged outages of basic services, food shortages, and a lack of official communication regarding recovery efforts. Residents also criticized the handling of aid distribution.