In the early hours of the morning, demonstrators hurled stones at a CUPET gas station located at the intersection of Dolores and 24th Streets in Havana. This act of defiance occurred amid the most significant wave of protests to hit the Cuban capital since July 11, 2021.
A video capturing the incident circulated on social media, accompanied by the message: "Cupet at Dolores and 24 tonight. Full-on stone attack! #VivaCubaLibre." The footage reveals the gas station under the night sky, its green and red pumps standing out against the severely deteriorated pavement.
This assault on a state-run facility unfolded as protests erupted across at least twelve municipalities in Havana, including Lawton, Luyanó, Santos Suárez, Guanabacoa, Marianao, Playa, San Miguel del Padrón, Nuevo Vedado, Reparto Bahía, Boyeros, Vedado, Regla, and Habana del Este.
Residents took to the streets, banging pots, lighting bonfires, burning trash, and blocking roads, chanting slogans like "Down with the dictatorship!", "Power and food!", and "Homeland and Life."
Energy Crisis Sparks Unrest
Journalist José Raúl Gallego encapsulated the scale of the unrest with a poignant remark: "I haven't seen anything like this since the 11J."
The catalyst for these demonstrations is the nation's severe energy crisis, the worst of the year. On Wednesday, May 13, the Electric Union reported a record shortfall of 2,113 MW at 8:40 p.m., surpassing the previous high of 2,075 MW set on March 6, 2026.
In parts of Havana, power outages lasted between 20 and 22 hours daily, as acknowledged by Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy.
Even President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted on Facebook that the National Electric System's situation was "particularly tense," forecasting a deficit exceeding 2,000 MW during peak nighttime hours.
Fuel Shortages Exacerbate the Crisis
De la O Levy conceded that Cuba had not received any fuel shipments between December 2025 and late March 2026, except for a Russian donation of 100,000 tons of crude oil, which was depleted by early May. Domestic production barely satisfies 40,000 of the 110,000 barrels per day that the nation requires.
Key Questions on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What sparked the recent protests in Havana?
The protests were ignited by the severe energy crisis in Cuba, which led to widespread power outages and fuel shortages across the country.
How severe is the current energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing its worst energy crisis of the year, with power deficits reaching record levels and outages lasting up to 22 hours a day in some areas.
What has been the government's response to the energy crisis?
The government has acknowledged the crisis, with President Díaz-Canel and Energy Minister de la O Levy highlighting the country's significant energy shortfalls and fuel supply challenges.