Residents of San Miguel del Padrón, a district in eastern Havana, staged a loud protest on Wednesday in front of the municipal government building, demanding electricity and food. The demonstrators, driven by consecutive days without power, chanted, "Power and food!"
Journalist Mario J. Pentón shared live footage of the protest, describing it as a "significant daytime demonstration" at the municipal government's doorstep, according to La Tijera News.
As reported by La Tijera News, the ongoing lack of electricity, widespread hunger, and severe shortages of basic necessities continue to push Cuban citizens to the streets in search of solutions.
Residents express growing desperation as living conditions worsen amidst constant blackouts and a deepening economic crisis, La Tijera News further noted.
Wave of Protests Sweeps Through Havana
The demonstration in San Miguel del Padrón is part of a wave of protests that have been shaking Havana for several days.
On Tuesday night, another protest erupted in Reparto Bahía with chants of "Down with the dictatorship!" Meanwhile, in the early hours of Wednesday, residents of Marianao took to the streets, igniting bonfires and burning trash.
Earlier in the week on Monday, residents of Luyanó disrupted traffic on Calzada de Concha to protest power outages. Graffiti with slogans like "Patria y Vida" and anti-Díaz-Canel messages appeared on electrical infrastructure in the neighboring municipality of Arroyo Naranjo.
Severe Energy Crisis
The energy crisis is dire: the Unión Eléctrica predicted a nighttime peak deficit of 2,020 MW on Wednesday, with only 1,230 MW available against a demand of 3,250 MW.
On Tuesday, the real maximum impact reached 2,113 MW at 8:40 PM, marking the highest level this year, according to the Unión Eléctrica.
Cuba has been without Venezuelan oil since November 2025, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and Russian oil donations have dried up since late April.
The country has endured at least seven total collapses of its electrical system over the past 18 months; the most severe occurred on March 16, 2026, when a nationwide blackout lasted 29 hours and 29 minutes.
Food Scarcity Worsening
The food crisis exacerbates the situation: according to the "En Cuba Hay Hambre" survey by the Food Monitor Program, 33.9% of Cuban households reported experiencing hunger in 2025, with 25% of Cubans going to bed without dinner, and 96.91% lacking adequate access to food.
History of Protests in San Miguel del Padrón
San Miguel del Padrón has a history of activism: in September 2024, residents of the La Rosita and Siboney neighborhoods blocked streets after more than 15 days without potable water, using barricades and burning objects.
The Observatorio Cubano de Conflictos recorded 1,133 protests in April 2026, a 29.5% increase compared to April 2025, with the regime responding through militarization and at least 14 arrests in Havana since March 6 related to such demonstrations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Protests in Cuba
What sparked the protests in San Miguel del Padrón?
Residents were protesting due to prolonged power outages and lack of food, expressing their demands with chants of "Power and food!"
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The regime has resorted to militarization and has made at least 14 arrests in Havana since early March in response to these protests.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with a projected deficit of 2,020 MW and only 1,230 MW available to meet a demand of 3,250 MW.