Residents of the Micro 9 neighborhood, located in the "Vicoa" buildings area of the José Martí district in Santiago de Cuba, took to the streets early Sunday morning to protest amidst an extended power outage.
The tense situation in Micro 9 was captured through audio recordings and messages from within the neighborhood, as reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The protesters voiced their dissent with chants of "Down with the dictatorship!" and "Freedom!" while setting garbage containers on fire in the streets, according to eyewitness accounts shared by the source.
Mayeta emphasized that the grievances extended beyond the power crisis: "They were not asking for electricity, even though they had none, nor were they demanding water or food. They were calling for the downfall of the dictatorship and seeking freedom for the Cuban people."
In response, the authorities launched a significant crackdown.
Numerous arrests were reported, including that of a man known as "Rasta" or "Rastafari."
Police patrol vehicles, prisoner transport vans, members of the so-called "black berets," and plainclothes State Security agents with dogs descended upon the neighborhood, effectively sealing off access.
Audio recordings from within the neighborhood described the scene: "People are around, security between Marial and Cohabita stopping and searching people, the civil beast, and patrolling with dogs."
At 12:35 a.m., Mayeta received a message reporting that a minor was assaulted while defending her father during his arrest and that a pregnant woman was also beaten during the police intervention.
Fearing the protests might spread, the Communist Party headquarters in Plaza de Marte was swiftly militarized.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago de Cuba, urgently summoned the top officials of the Ministry of the Interior.
According to Mayeta, there was concern that the protests, similar to those in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, might reach the party headquarters.
The journalist also reported that "long guns have been distributed at police stations in Santiago de Cuba, including those close to Micro 9."
Authorities also halted music in Chicharrones Park and the Ferreiro neighborhood to prevent gatherings of young people.
The events in Santiago are part of a wave of protests that have been sweeping across Cuba since early March, triggered by the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant earlier this month.
The most recent incident occurred from Friday night to Saturday in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, where protesters attacked and damaged the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party, set fire to furniture and police bicycles, and clashed with law enforcement.
Díaz-Canel issued a stern warning: "There will be no impunity for vandalism."
Understanding the Protests in Santiago de Cuba
What sparked the protests in Santiago de Cuba?
The protests were ignited by a prolonged power outage and fueled by broader demands for political change and freedom from the current regime.
How did the authorities respond to the protests?
The authorities responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, deploying police and security forces to suppress the demonstrations and making several arrests.
What other events have contributed to the wave of protests in Cuba?
The protests are part of a larger wave of unrest sparked by the collapse of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, leading to widespread power outages and public dissatisfaction.