On the evening of Monday, December 8th, residents of Cabacú in Baracoa took to the streets demanding "We want power and water!" In the aftermath, pro-government figures quickly moved to dismiss the events, accusing independent media of "manipulation."
The page Primera Trinchera, closely linked to government propaganda, labeled the incidents as "isolated events" and blamed "anti-Cuban media" for overblowing the situation to "sow disorder." The account even shared a screenshot of a post from Asere Noticias de Cuba, which reported on the protest and featured images of the gathering, branding it as "manipulation."
Similarly, a user named Carlos Pérez claimed there were no disturbances or political protests in Cabacú, merely a supposed "dialogue" between residents and authorities. Pérez echoed the official narrative by using hashtags like #NoToManipulation and #WithoutSensationalism to downplay the citizens' grievances.
Contrary to these claims, videos circulating on social media depict a different scenario. Activist Juannier Rodríguez shared footage showing dozens of people gathered in the streets at night, demanding water and electricity. "Residents from Cabacú in Baracoa protest due to the lack of water and electricity. December 8, 2025," he noted in his post.
Martí Noticias also reposted scenes of demonstrators calling for the restoration of the water supply and an end to the power outages plaguing the community.
The images clearly illustrate an event that pro-government outlets attempt to deny: a spontaneous and peaceful protest by citizens fed up with the lack of basic services, a situation mirrored in various parts of the country.
Similar demonstrations have been reported in Marianao and other Havana municipalities, where residents demanded the return of electricity services.
The efforts by supporters of the Castro regime to downplay these occurrences starkly contrast with the visual evidence and the growing social unrest on the island, which is riddled with power cuts, shortages, and the government's failure to provide effective solutions.
Key Questions About Baracoa Protests and Government Response
What sparked the protests in Cabacú, Baracoa?
Residents of Cabacú in Baracoa protested due to the lack of water and electricity, demanding the restoration of these essential services.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
The Cuban government's supporters attempted to downplay the protests, labeling them as isolated incidents and accusing independent media of manipulation.
What evidence contradicts the government's narrative?
Videos and images shared on social media show a large number of people gathering to protest, contradicting the government's claims of no disturbance or political protest.