In Santiago de Cuba, the fatigue, desperation, and official neglect have once again ignited public outcry. This time, it was the El Carmen neighborhood in the Mar Verde area where residents, worn out by more than 20 days without electricity, took to the streets to block traffic. This latest protest underscores the severe energy crisis plaguing the province.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared images capturing men, women, and entire families obstructing the main road for nearly an hour, demanding essentials such as electricity, water, and the presence of any authority figure after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
In one of the videos taken at the scene, a local encapsulates the community's frustration: "Look at this, in El Carmen... traffic is shut down until they restore power. It's just a bit of power, but only a little bit, and they haven't restored the power yet."
The scene paints a picture of a community exhausted by weeks spent surviving amidst ruins, darkness, and governmental silence.
The Community's Solitude: Absence of Government and Electric Company Representatives
According to Mayeta's report, no representatives from the municipal government, the Popular Council, or the Electric Company were present during the protest. No one came to listen to the residents, who continue to endure in the aftermath of the cyclone and the lack of potable water.
Desperation starkly contrasts with the official narrative. The Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba claimed on November 17 that 82% of the municipality's customers have power, and all municipal centers are electrified. However, for El Carmen, the reality is different: a neglected neighborhood still plunged in darkness.
The protest even caught the attention of the AP news agency, which reported that the situation compelled Alfredo López Valdés, director of the Union Electric, to travel to Santiago. Images from that outlet show police and MININT personnel clearing debris to attempt reopening the path blocked by residents.
This pattern is familiar: the government only responds when people protest.
Santiago Continues to Erupt in Protests
The demonstration in El Carmen is just one of several protests that have recently shaken Santiago de Cuba.
On Sunday, residents of Vista Hermosa and Altamira banged pots and pans in the dark, demanding power, while denouncing the arrival of repressive forces before the electrical crews. Videos shared by activists depict dozens of people shouting "power!" in the dead of night.
Earlier, in La Loma de Chicharrones, another crowd took to the streets after twenty days without electricity. The swift arrival of the police and the subsequent deployment of the electric company were seen by many as further evidence that in Cuba, issues are only addressed when protests occur.
In the city center, residents reported extortion and charges of up to 15,000 pesos for reconnecting power, a practice that further fueled outrage.
Additionally, on Monday night, the community of San Pablo in the José Martí district reached a breaking point. After nearly 20 days without electricity and living in extreme poverty, dozens of residents took to the main streets, banging pots and pans.
Testimonies from within the district's buildings confirm that the state response was immediate: patrols, cage cars, and police personnel swiftly militarized the area to contain or arrest protesters.
It remains unclear if there were any arrests. What is clear is that San Pablo, a vulnerable neighborhood battered by poverty, has had enough.
"The people's resistance has a limit, and dignity also demands light," Mayeta wrote, summarizing the collective cry of a community tired of surviving in darkness.
Understanding the Power Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
What sparked the protests in Santiago de Cuba?
The protests were sparked by prolonged power outages lasting over 20 days, along with the absence of governmental and electrical company responses to the residents' needs.
How has the government responded to the protests?
The government and police forces have been quick to respond to protests, often militarizing areas to suppress demonstrations, but have been slow to address the underlying issues of power outages.
What challenges are residents facing in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents face challenges including extended power outages, lack of potable water, and extortionate fees for reconnection services, all compounded by poverty and governmental neglect.