On Sunday, Havana witnessed a new wave of protests as residents in the Playa and El Vedado neighborhoods took to the streets, banging pots and pans in frustration over ongoing power outages. Videos sent to our newsroom captured these nighttime demonstrations in different parts of the Cuban capital.
The footage reveals the distant clanging of cookware, and in El Vedado, a fire can be seen—a sign that locals have taken to burning objects, a tactic that has become common in recent protests where Cubans set trash ablaze to voice their discontent with the never-ending blackouts.
Escalating Demonstrations in Havana
These latest protests are part of a broader wave of unrest that has gripped Havana for days, marking the largest mobilization in the city since July 11, 2021. Beginning on May 12, the demonstrations have spread to at least 12 municipalities, including Marianao, Luyanó, Santos Suárez, San Miguel del Padrón, Nuevo Vedado, Guanabacoa, Regla, Boyeros, Puentes Grandes, and Habana del Este.
The catalyst is an unprecedented energy crisis. Vicente de la O Levy, the Minister of Energy and Mines, has acknowledged power outages lasting between 20 and 22 hours daily in parts of Havana.
Energy Shortages and Government Response
On May 13, the Cuban Electric Union reported a generation shortfall of 2,113 MW, with only 1,230 MW available against a demand of 3,250 MW. Playa, one of the protest sites on Sunday, had already been a scene of police crackdowns the previous Wednesday, when officers assaulted demonstrators during nighttime protests.
Simultaneously, a significant internet outage occurred in Havana during the protests on May 14 and 15, seen as an attempt by the regime to curb the spread of images and testimonies. Throughout the week, slogans have echoed in Havana's neighborhoods, ranging from demands for "Electricity and food!" shouted by San Miguel del Padrón residents outside the municipal government headquarters, to calls of "Down with the dictatorship!" heard across various parts of the capital.
Arrests and Social Discontent
According to the NGO Cubalex, at least 14 individuals have been arrested in Havana in connection with the pot-banging protests since March 6, 2026. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,133 protests in April 2026, a 29.5% increase from April 2025, highlighting the growing social discontent on the island.
The recent protests this Sunday in Playa and El Vedado demonstrate that, despite police presence and internet blackouts, the public's outrage continues to intensify with each additional hour without electricity.
Understanding the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity, with demand far exceeding supply. This has resulted in widespread and prolonged blackouts.
How have residents been responding to the blackouts?
Residents have been organizing protests, including banging pots and pans, and in some cases, setting garbage on fire as a form of protest against the persistent power outages.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the protests?
The Cuban government has deployed police forces to suppress the protests and has reportedly cut internet access to limit the spread of protest images and accounts.