In October, Cuba experienced a surge in social unrest, recording 1,249 protests, civic actions, and complaints. This marks the highest number documented since the Cuban Conflict Observatory (OCC) began tracking civil conflict on the island.
This figure exceeds the 1,121 protests noted in September by over a hundred and signifies the third consecutive record this year, 2025.
According to the OCC report, the rise in demonstrations indicates a "growing social exhaustion" in response to the collapse of public services, governmental repression, and a healthcare crisis. This unrest is unfolding amid prolonged power outages, epidemic outbreaks, and severe food shortages.
Mounting Frustrations in Cuba
The primary sources of citizen dissatisfaction include challenges to the police state (261 incidents), failures in basic electricity and water services (254), and the severe epidemiological crisis affecting the island (248).
The report portrays a scenario of "widespread desperation," where protests manifest through banging pots, street blockades, and mass complaints on social media.
One notable event documented by the OCC occurred in Baire, Santiago de Cuba, where dozens took to the streets after enduring more than 30 hours without electricity. Similarly, protests erupted in the Ho Chi Minh neighborhood of Guantánamo, one of the hardest-hit areas by Hurricane Melissa.
As is typical under the Cuban regime, both instances were met with arrests and threats, the source noted.
Public Safety Concerns and Repression
The organization also reported 134 complaints regarding public safety, including 17 murders and homicides, two of which involved minors, and 106 repressive acts against activists, independent journalists, and citizens participating in demonstrations.
Healthcare Collapse and Economic Struggles
The collapse of the healthcare system was another focal point of protest. Over 240 complaints were linked to the surge in dengue, chikungunya, oropouche, and zika cases, which the report describes as "a crisis deliberately downplayed by the government."
The OCC claims that hospitals have collapsed in several provinces and that the Ministry of Public Health is concealing the true death toll.
On the economic front, the Observatory recorded 127 protests related to food shortages and inflation, as evidenced in viral videos showing Cubans with empty refrigerators or standing in lines to buy rice delayed since June.
Havana led the provinces with 417 protests and complaints, followed by Santiago de Cuba (164) and Matanzas (159).
The report emphasizes that discontent has spread nationwide, with expressions of dissatisfaction in all 15 provinces and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud.
According to the OCC, the simultaneous accumulation of crises—power outages, hunger, epidemics, violence, and impunity—has turned Cuba into "a social pressure cooker," confirming the regime's loss of legitimacy.
"Protest has become the only form of citizen expression in a country without free institutions," concludes the report.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cuban Protests
What led to the record number of protests in Cuba in October?
The record number of protests in October was driven by a combination of factors, including the collapse of public services, governmental repression, prolonged power outages, epidemic outbreaks, and severe food shortages.
How did the Cuban Conflict Observatory describe the situation?
The Cuban Conflict Observatory described the situation as one of "widespread desperation," with citizens expressing their frustrations through street blockades, banging pots, and mass complaints on social media.
What were the main causes of dissatisfaction among Cubans?
The main causes of dissatisfaction included challenges to the police state, failures in basic electricity and water services, and a severe epidemiological crisis.