Residents of the rural settlement of Providencia Four in Majibacoa, located in the province of Las Tunas, staged a public protest against the extended power outages plaguing the area. This demonstration was highlighted in a video shared on social media this Saturday by Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer.
The footage captures a group of locals marching in broad daylight, chanting slogans such as “Down with the dictatorship!”, “Down with communism!”, “No more dictatorship!”, and “No more blackouts!”, along with vocal opposition against the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel.
During the protest, community members voiced their outrage over the lengthy power cuts, which, according to the video, have lasted as long as 24 to 30 hours at a stretch in this eastern Cuban region.
The video also reveals the presence of officers from the National Revolutionary Police and State Security at the scene.
At one point, an official approaches the protestors, who express their desire to engage in dialogue with the authorities.
According to Ferrer’s commentary accompanying the video, the demonstration was a response to the prolonged blackouts and the dire living conditions faced by the area’s residents.
Ferrer indicated that following the protest, the pattern of power outages temporarily shifted, with electricity available for approximately five-hour intervals, alternating with five-hour periods without power.
He also claimed that Majibacoa residents are considering organizing further protests unless there is a significant improvement in the power supply.
This protest emerges amid a surge in social unrest fueled by the country’s escalating energy crisis.
In recent days, there have been reports of pot-banging protests across various provinces. In Havana, residents of the Santos Suárez neighborhood lit bonfires in the street and staged a pot-banging protest in areas like Santa Irene and Calzada de Diez de Octubre, leading to traffic disruptions.
Protests were also noted near the Corner of Toyo, a key site during the nationwide protests on July 11, 2021.
In Ciego de Ávila, residents of the Vista Alegre neighborhood recently held a daytime pot-banging protest after enduring over 29 hours without electricity or water, highlighting the severe impact of power cuts on the elderly, the sick, and those with limited mobility.
Understanding the Protests in Majibacoa and Beyond
Why are residents of Majibacoa protesting?
Residents are protesting due to prolonged power outages that have severely affected their daily lives, with some blackouts lasting over 24 to 30 hours.
What impact have the protests had on power supply?
Following the protests, there was a temporary change in the pattern of power supply, with electricity being available for five-hour cycles alternating with five-hour periods without power.
Have similar protests occurred elsewhere in Cuba?
Yes, similar protests have been reported in various provinces, including Havana and Ciego de Ávila, where residents have engaged in pot-banging demonstrations against the ongoing energy crisis.