This afternoon, a loud pot-banging protest erupted in the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana's Diez de Octubre municipality. Residents are expressing their frustration over power outages lasting up to 15 hours and an unprecedented energy crisis sweeping across Cuba.
Journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro shared the news in real-time on his X profile, stating, "Reports are coming in of a strong pot-banging protest right now in Santo Suárez, Havana. In broad daylight... people can't take it anymore."
In another update, he noted, "Sources from there report over 24 hours without electricity... the situation is unbearable."
In a third post, the journalist emphasized, "Not even one or ten Russian ships will solve the electrical system's issues. People's patience is running out."
This Wednesday's pot-banging protest occurred in one of Havana's neighborhoods known for its history of dissent.
Santos Suárez witnessed similar protests on March 10, 12, and 20, 2026, when residents lit bonfires and blocked traffic on Santa Irene and the Calzada de Diez de Octubre, despite the presence of police and "black berets."
Escalating Energy Crisis
The energy crisis fueling public discontent is severe. On Wednesday, the Electric Union predicted potential power disruptions totaling up to 1,880 megawatts during peak hours, with half of the country's 16 thermoelectric units out of service.
At 6 a.m., the National Electric System had only 1,090 megawatts available against a demand for 2,450 megawatts, leaving 1,337 megawatts without coverage.
On Tuesday night, the deficit reached 1,729 megawatts, with the year's peak recorded on April 1 at 1,945 megawatts.
Compounding Issues
The main thermoelectric plant, Antonio Guiteras, has been out of commission since February due to multiple breakdowns, including issues with the boiler, piping, and a boiler leak in April.
Adding to the crisis, there's a shortage of fuel. Venezuelan oil shipments halted in January 2026 following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The first oil tanker in three months, the Russian Anatoly Kolodkin carrying 100,000 tons of crude, arrived in April but only covers seven to ten days of consumption.
Widespread Unrest in Havana
The wave of protests in Havana isn't confined to Santos Suárez. On April 1, women blocked streets on Mario and the Calzada de Diez de Octubre due to three months without water and continued blackouts.
On April 2, residents of Tamarindo Street in Luyanó staged another pot-banging protest.
The regime's response has been a mix of repression and internet cuts in protest areas. At least 14 people have been arrested for pot-banging protests since March 6, 2026, in a country that ended 2025 with a record 1,192 political prisoners.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Political Crisis
What sparked the recent protests in Santos Suárez?
The protests in Santos Suárez were triggered by prolonged power outages lasting up to 15 hours and a severe energy crisis affecting Cuba.
How is the Cuban government responding to the protests?
The Cuban regime has responded with a combination of repression and internet outages in areas where protests occur, leading to at least 14 arrests since March 2026.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy supply?
Cuba's energy supply is critically low, with significant deficits due to half of the thermoelectric units being out of service and a shortage of fuel supplies.