Residents of El Fanguito, a neighborhood in Havana's Plaza de la Revolución municipality, took to the streets on Wednesday night, blocking 23rd Avenue — one of the city's major thoroughfares — in protest after enduring more than 48 hours without electricity, water, or gas.
A video shared on Facebook by rapper and activist Eliécer Márquez Duany, known as "El Funky," captured a protester confronting a driver attempting to bypass the blockade: "Move back, move back, we've been without power for over 24 hours! There are children crying here! Turn around, turn around!"
Blocking 23rd Avenue is significant both symbolically and logistically. This heavily trafficked road's closure necessitates a response from authorities or results in serious traffic issues in the city's core.
Struggles of El Fanguito Residents
El Fanguito is situated next to the Almendares River and is one of Havana's most impoverished areas. According to El Estornudo magazine, in 2016, almost 200 homes in the neighborhood were not included in the census, with only one being officially recognized by the state, highlighting decades of institutional neglect.
Widespread Protests Across Cuba
The protest on Thursday is not an isolated event. Loud banging of pots and pans was reported in Old Havana on Wednesday during a prolonged blackout. Earlier, women had blocked Diez de Octubre Avenue, demanding an end to the power cuts.
Similar protests, including pot-banging, were reported in Santiago de Cuba on the same day.
A Deepening Energy Crisis
The wave of demonstrations began in March 2026 and has escalated throughout July, marking the most prolonged unrest in Havana since July 11, 2021. In June 2026, Cuba saw 107 protests, with the capital being at the forefront.
The energy crisis fueling these protests is unprecedented on the island. The day before, the Electric Union predicted a shortfall of 2,380 MW, a new historic record for power outages, which, if realized, would leave 74% of the island without power during peak demand times.
In July, the National Electroenergetic System experienced at least three total collapses, with outages lasting up to 87 consecutive hours in some provinces. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz blamed the crisis on fuel shortages but failed to provide concrete solutions for a population enduring extreme conditions for months.
As the regime remains silent in the face of these protests, desperation continues to grow in neighborhoods like El Fanguito. Families with young children, lacking refrigeration, running water, and gas, have taken to the streets, feeling they have nothing left to lose.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What triggered the protests in El Fanguito?
The protests in El Fanguito were triggered by over 48 hours without electricity, water, or gas, prompting residents to block a major avenue in Havana in protest.
How significant is the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is facing its most severe energy crisis, with power outages potentially affecting up to 74% of the island and prolonged blackouts occurring frequently.
What has been the government's response to the crisis?
The government, represented by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, has blamed fuel shortages for the crisis but has not provided viable solutions to alleviate the hardships faced by the population.