Residents of Cayo Hueso in Central Havana took to the streets on July 7th and 8th, staging a massive pot-banging protest in front of the Lázaro Peña Theater. Their chants echoed far beyond the demand for relief from power outages: "We want freedom, not electricity," "Freedom!" and "Wounded homeland!" reverberated under Havana's night sky.
Observers noted a striking detail: the neighborhood had power during the demonstrations.
"The videos clearly show the area is lit, yet they are shouting for freedom. This starkly highlights the sentiment of a nation tired of living on crumbs," the narrator of a widely shared video on social media pointed out.
This fact—protesting with the lights on—has been interpreted by observers as a sign of a shift in Cuban civil society's mindset: discontent is now directly targeting the political system, not just basic service failures.
The protests come amidst the worst energy crisis Cuba has faced in decades. On July 6th, a nationwide blackout—marking the third this year and the seventh in 18 months—left approximately 9.6 million people without electricity.
This Thursday, the electricity generation deficit reached a record 2,260 MW, with actual availability between just 935 to 1,050 MW against a demand of 3,100 MW.
In Havana, power cuts average 15 hours daily, peaking at 35 hours in the Cerro municipality. Matanzas experienced up to 87 consecutive hours without power, and Granma 72 hours.
The crisis intensified since January 2026, when Venezuela halted oil shipments to the Island. Eleven out of the 16 thermoelectric units are out of service due to breakdowns, and the CTE Antonio Guiteras—the country's main plant—has seen over 15 shutdowns this year alone.
Central Havana is not an isolated case. June witnessed 107 street protests across Cuba, a historic record—almost double the previous high of 54 in March—with 82 occurring in Havana.
The wave surged in July: Jaimanitas endured two days of consecutive protests on July 5th and 7th, with cries of "Down with the dictatorship!" and "Down with the communist regime!" In Zamora, Marianao, residents took to the streets on July 1st after more than 24 hours without power; in La Lisa, they confronted the Communist Party headquarters after 50 continuous hours without electricity.
The regime responded with police crackdowns, arrests, and internet cuts in affected areas, while Miguel Díaz-Canel blames the energy crisis on the U.S. embargo.
The Cuba Human Rights Violations Observatory reported at least 1,949 repressive actions by the regime against citizens in the first half of 2026, with Cuba holding between 1,260 and 1,281 political prisoners, a record number.
The July mobilizations coincide with the fifth anniversary of July 11, 2021, when thousands of Cubans protested in over 22 cities. Exile opposition groups have organized commemorative events in Madrid for this coming Saturday, marking five years since that historic uprising.
Understanding the Cuban Protests
Why did the Cuban residents protest despite having power?
The protests were a direct response to broader issues beyond power outages, signifying a growing discontent with the political system and a call for freedom.
What has contributed to Cuba's severe energy crisis?
The crisis is exacerbated by mechanical failures in thermoelectric plants and the cessation of oil shipments from Venezuela, which has been a key energy supplier to Cuba.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The government has responded with police repression, arrests, and internet disruptions in protest areas, attributing the energy crisis to the U.S. embargo.
What is the significance of the July protests?
The protests in July mark the fifth anniversary of the significant July 11, 2021 demonstrations, reflecting ongoing unrest and the demand for change in Cuba.