In an apparent effort to quell unrest, the Cuban government ensured electricity for select areas of Havana for the second consecutive night. This move, seen by activists as a deliberate strategy to discourage the populace from participating in a nationwide protest slated for 9:00 PM on July 25, the eve of "National Rebellion Day," follows extended power outages in these neighborhoods.
Activist Leonardo Romero Negrín captured images of suddenly illuminated neighborhoods, which were shared by independent journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro on social media platform X. Castro highlighted the suspicious timing of the power restoration, coinciding precisely with the protest call.
"For the second night in a row, the regime is prioritizing circuits in Havana that have been without power for months. This is not by chance... it’s the official response to the daily nationwide protest at 9:00 PM," the activist commented.
Protests Persist Despite Government Efforts
Despite the illumination, the protests continued unabated. The sound of pots and pans resonated across various parts of the capital, including Lawton, San Agustín, La Coronela, and La Lisa, as well as in Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.
In Lawton, residents of Dolores Park amplified their protest using pots and fire extinguishers, creating one of the most powerful images of the evening.
Electricity Crisis Fuels Unrest
The backdrop to these events is a severe electrical crisis. On July 24, the Unión Eléctrica reported a power deficit of 2,315 MW at 9:10 PM, nearing the record high of 2,341 MW from July 8, when about 73% of the country was simultaneously without power.
July saw the National Electroenergetic System experience its fourth total collapse of the year, with some Havana neighborhoods enduring up to 35 consecutive hours of blackout, as demand reached 3,200 MW against a mere 1,070 MW availability during the worst days.
This energy crisis has fueled a wave of ongoing protests throughout the month. The nationwide call to protest, led by the Cuban Resistance Assembly, has scheduled daily demonstrations at 9:00 PM, emphasizing the symbolic significance of July 26.
Historical Significance and Continued Detentions
Romero Negrín, who documented the lit neighborhoods, has a history of being detained. On July 1, he was arrested in Central Havana during a protest and released two days later with a 2,000 Cuban pesos fine.
July 26 marks "National Rebellion Day," a date of immense symbolic value for the regime, commemorating the 1953 assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks. This year, the 73rd anniversary was observed in Pinar del Río with Miguel Díaz-Canel presiding, notably absent was Raúl Castro.
Human rights organization Cubalex recorded at least 38 arrests related to the protests in July, while the Cuban Conflict Observatory noted a record 107 street protests in June alone.
"Let Cuba be heard at 9 PM every day, with the clatter of pots and pans. Extend the national protest for every injustice faced by a Cuban family, for every prisoner, for every hungry child. The time is now," Magdiel Jorge Castro urged in his closing message.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What triggered the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests have been driven by widespread power outages and dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the energy crisis, culminating in a national call to protest every evening at 9 PM.
Why is July 26 significant in Cuba?
July 26 marks "National Rebellion Day," commemorating the 1953 attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks, a pivotal event in the Cuban revolution.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The government has attempted to mitigate protests by restoring power to certain areas of Havana, though this has not prevented the demonstrations from continuing.