Cuban performer Riuber Alarcón, also known by his stage name "Doña Margot," has reported being physically assaulted in the La Lisa district of Havana on Sunday. The attack appears to be a direct retaliation for his social media posts criticizing local power outages.
In a video shared on his Facebook profile, Alarcón is visibly injured, with a bloodied mouth, bruising around his eyes, and scratches on his forehead. He explains the incident by stating, "Claudia Ávila, the mayor of La Lisa, sent someone to beat me up because I complained online about the electricity issues in La Lisa. This is how the government officials here operate."
Alarcón specifically named Claudia Ávila, the head of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in La Lisa, as the person who allegedly ordered the attack.
The Implications of Alarcón's Allegations
This incident is particularly significant given Alarcón's background. He is a well-known performer with established connections to CENESEX and Mariela Castro Espín, who is Raúl Castro's daughter and the director of the state agency focused on sexual diversity policies.
Alarcón has been involved in state-sponsored events, such as the International Day Against Homophobia organized by CENESEX, and has hosted drag shows since at least 2007.
That someone with historical ties to the official narrative might be attacked for highlighting power shortages underscores how repression in Cuba does not discriminate between supporters and critics when it comes to pointing out the failure of basic services.
La Lisa: A Center of Energy Crisis Protests
La Lisa has become a focal point for public anger over the energy crisis in 2026. On July 2, residents protested outside the local headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba after enduring over 50 consecutive hours without electricity. This protest was met with a crackdown involving "black berets," arbitrary arrests, and internet blackouts.
Just a month earlier, in June, the municipality was the scene of another protest following a 36-hour blackout. In the days leading up to July 2, frustrated residents had even thrown stones at the San Agustín police unit over similar issues.
Cuba's Worsening Energy Crisis
Cuba is facing its most severe energy crisis in decades, with a generation shortfall reaching 2,208 MW on June 25, cutting power to 70% of the nation.
In June alone, the island witnessed 107 protests, with Havana leading the count. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights documented 1,949 repressive actions and 257 arbitrary detentions in the first half of 2026.
Alarcón's video has surpassed 207,000 views on Facebook, sparking over 530 comments.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who circulated Alarcón's report and called for an independent investigation, emphasized, "Political or ideological differences should never justify violence. Human rights must be protected without exceptions. Violence cannot become a tool for intimidation or a response to differing opinions."
Key Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis and Social Unrest
What triggered the physical assault on Riuber Alarcón?
Riuber Alarcón was allegedly attacked because he criticized the power outages in La Lisa on social media, which reportedly angered local government officials.
How severe is Cuba's current energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing its worst energy crisis in decades, with a significant deficit in power generation affecting 70% of the country as of late June 2026.
What has been the public response to the energy shortages in La Lisa?
La Lisa has seen significant public unrest, including protests and clashes with authorities, largely due to prolonged power outages and inadequate government response.