Residents living in circuit A465 in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana have voiced their frustrations about enduring nearly two full days without electricity this past weekend. They describe this as a recurrent issue that has been ongoing for months without any intervention or solution from the authorities.
The complaints were highlighted by independent journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro on his Facebook profile.
Circuit A465 covers the area between 8th and 16th streets in Lawton, receiving its power supply from the Apolo substation located in the municipality of Arroyo Naranjo. This past Sunday, residents briefly regained electricity around 11 a.m. after being left in the dark for nearly 48 hours, only to lose it again just three hours later.
Recurring Power Losses and Official Oversight
A major grievance among the residents is the absence of their circuit in some of the official reports from the Apolo substation published by the Electric Company. "It's like they are ignoring our existence," complained one affected individual.
The history of disruptions in circuit A465 reveals a pattern: on July 29, a circuit overload caused a power outage, followed by another service loss on August 9, and yet another interruption on August 16 starting at 9:16 p.m.
Additionally, the Apolo substation itself has been plagued with its own technical issues throughout the month. An official notice from the Havana Electric Company, published on the government’s website, stated that a lightning strike caused significant damage to a cell, resulting in a fire that left customers in Diez de Octubre-Lawton, Vista Alegre, Arroyo Naranjo-Víbora Park, Poey, Moro, and Mantilla without power.
Administrative Challenges and Public Outcry
Beyond technical issues, residents are also caught in a bureaucratic maze. Though A465 is territorially part of the Diez de Octubre municipality, its electricity is supplied by a substation in Arroyo Naranjo. When complaints are made, officials from both municipalities shift responsibility without providing concrete answers.
Lawton has been at the forefront of protests against power outages for months. Since March 2026, the neighborhood has witnessed street fires during blackouts, pot-banging protests, and chants demanding "Light!" and "Freedom!" On July 31, a woman was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle during one of these demonstrations.
The national situation exacerbates the issue: on August 28, the National Electric System reported a maximum real impact of 2,340 MW, with several days this month seeing generation deficits exceeding 2,000 MW, reaching a peak of 2,411 MW. The system has experienced at least six total outages so far in 2026.
"We earnestly ask for your help in bringing this issue to light, as exposing the regime is the only way they tend to react," pleaded one of the neighbors from A465 when reaching out to independent media outlets.
Understanding Lawton's Power Outage Crisis
What areas are affected by the power outages in Lawton?
The power outages primarily affect the residents of circuit A465, which covers the area between 8th and 16th streets in the Lawton neighborhood of Havana.
Why do residents feel ignored by the authorities?
Residents feel ignored because their circuit is often missing from official reports by the Apolo substation, making it seem as though their issues are being overlooked by the Electric Company.
What technical issues has the Apolo substation faced?
The Apolo substation has suffered severe damage due to a lightning strike, resulting in a significant malfunction and a fire that disrupted service to multiple areas.
How have the residents of Lawton responded to the ongoing power outages?
Residents have actively protested against the outages, engaging in street fires, pot-banging, and chanting slogans demanding electricity and freedom.