Residents in areas such as Centro Habana, Regla, and other parts of Cuba reported significant internet and mobile data blackouts on Friday, coinciding with the eruption of fresh protests against the ongoing power outages.
Both locals and Cubans living abroad see the service disruptions as a calculated move by the regime to prevent the dissemination of images and videos from the demonstrations.
According to independent media reports, the signal issues began as soon as news of the first gatherings spread. Users experienced difficulties accessing mobile data, sending messages, and uploading videos to social media from protest areas.
The immediate trigger was a power outage lasting over 30 hours in several Havana neighborhoods. Residents of Centro Habana's Block 1 barricaded Escobar Street, between San Miguel and San Rafael, with burning garbage in a rare daylight protest—uncommon in Cuba, where demonstrations typically occur at night to avoid detection.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the first images he received from the scene on Facebook. The videos depicted flames and smoke in the middle of the street, accompanied by the sounds of banging pots and chants condemning the lack of electricity.
Simultaneously, similar protests were reported in Regla, San Miguel del Padrón, La Güinera, and other parts of the capital, featuring tire fires and road blockades. The banging of pots in San Miguel del Padrón and La Güinera added to a day of widespread mobilization across Havana.
Cubans abroad reported that calls and messages with their families "stopped working." Neither ETECSA—the state telecom monopoly—nor Cuban authorities have provided public explanations for the disruptions.
The situation has a dual interpretation. On one hand, the Cuban government has a documented history of deliberately cutting internet during citizen mobilizations: during the July 11, 2021 protests, NetBlocks confirmed the blocking of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram.
On the other hand, the power outages themselves cripple the telecommunications infrastructure: ETECSA acknowledged on June 17 that its backup batteries last only a few hours, and power cuts disable about 47.5% of mobile base stations and 56.5% of telecommunications cabinets nationwide.
As of May 2026, Cuba ranked last in Latin America with a Speedtest global speed index of just 7.21 Mbps.
Meanwhile, the Cuban Observatory of Conflicts recorded over 1,300 protests in May and more than 1,100 in April, with electricity shortages as the main catalyst. Some areas in Matanzas have experienced up to 85 consecutive hours without power.
Whether intentional or due to structural failures, communication restrictions have the same practical effect: they hinder live broadcasts, obstruct the documentation of protests and repression, and further isolate the population as a form of social control.
Understanding Cuba's Internet and Protest Challenges
Why did Cuba experience internet blackouts during protests?
Cuban authorities are believed to deliberately cut internet services to prevent the spread of protest images and videos, aiming to suppress information flow and control public dissent.
How do power outages affect telecommunications in Cuba?
Power outages severely impact telecommunications, as ETECSA's backup systems are limited. This results in significant portions of mobile and communication infrastructure being offline during outages.
What role does ETECSA play in Cuba's communication issues?
ETECSA, as the state-controlled telecom provider, is central to Cuba's communication issues, lacking sufficient infrastructure resilience, and is implicated in deliberate service interruptions during protests.