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Cubans React to Díaz-Canel's Speech with Pots and Pans Protest Amid Havana Blackout

Friday, February 6, 2026 by Albert Rivera

A resonant protest took place on Thursday in the Arroyo Naranjo district of southern Havana, as locals expressed their frustration with a recent speech by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. His address came at a time when the nation is grappling with a severe economic and energy crisis.

Various social media accounts shared citizen reports showing how residents from multiple neighborhoods took to the streets, banging on pots and pans in the dead of night while large sections of the area were left without power.

The demonstration spread across different parts of the district, highlighting the public's dissatisfaction with ongoing power outages, shortages, and the lack of concrete solutions from the communist government.

Participants reported that the protest was peaceful but saw significant involvement, signaling the deep-seated frustration among the people.

This incident in Arroyo Naranjo is part of a series of similar protests occurring recently across various Cuban provinces. Prolonged blackouts, coupled with economic and fuel crises, continue to stir social unrest throughout the island.

Understanding the Protests in Cuba

Why did Cubans protest using pots and pans?

Cubans used pots and pans to protest as a symbolic act of defiance and to audibly express their dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the economic and energy crisis.

What prompted the protest in Arroyo Naranjo?

The protest was a reaction to President Miguel Díaz-Canel's recent speech, which failed to address the pressing issues of power outages and economic hardship affecting the Cuban populace.

How widespread are these types of protests in Cuba?

Such protests have been reported in various provinces across Cuba, indicating a growing discontent with the government's inability to resolve the ongoing crises.

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