In the small town of Maqueicito, located within the Paraguay local council in Guantánamo province, residents took to the streets on Friday to demand the restoration of electricity service. This protest followed a ten-day blackout caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
As reported by ClickCuba, dozens of frustrated locals, including women, young people, and children, gathered on the town's main streets. They were fed up with the neglect and lack of response from the regime's authorities.
"We're desperate; we have no electricity or water, and no one is providing us with any answers," a local resident expressed.
Images and videos shared on social media platforms captured protesters shouting slogans and demanding the presence of regime officials to address the crisis.
In nearby areas like La Sombrilla, similar protests erupted over the absence of basic services.
The Internet Blackout During Protests
Independent journalist José Raúl Gallego reported that internet service was cut off during the night of the protest and was only partially restored by morning.
"I've been told that the internet service was just restored after being cut off all night following the Maqueicito protest," he shared on Facebook.
Residents report ongoing tension, and electricity service has yet to be fully restored in all affected areas.
The Impact of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage in the eastern provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, leaving thousands of families without shelter, water, or food.
In Guantánamo, the prolonged power outage has worsened the health and food crisis, with perishables spoiling and hospitals barely operating with emergency generators.
Social media is abuzz with hashtags like #GuantánamoWithoutPower, #PeopleAreTired, and #CubaInCrisis, reflecting growing discontent in a province historically plagued by poverty and institutional neglect.
Understanding the Crisis in Guantánamo
What triggered the protests in Maqueicito?
The protests were triggered by a ten-day power outage following Hurricane Melissa, leading to widespread frustration among residents over the lack of response from authorities.
How did the authorities respond to the protests?
Authorities cut internet service during the protests, which was partially restored the following morning. However, there has been no significant response to the residents' demands.
What are the broader implications of the power outage?
The power outage has exacerbated health and food crises, with food spoilage and hospitals struggling to operate on emergency power, highlighting systemic issues in the region.