Ahead of the upcoming school year, a group of Cuban mothers and their children took to the streets in the Havana neighborhood of Arroyo Naranjo, halting traffic to protest over 48 hours without electricity and more than three days without potable water.
Footage captured by locals and shared on social media by El Funky and the ICLEP shows children seated in the middle of the road, obstructing traffic between Párraga and La Palma. The protest, fueled by frustration, highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by residents in the area.
The protesting mothers firmly stated they would not send their children to school on Tuesday, marking the commencement of the 2026-2027 academic year. "My child isn't going to school. My child isn't going!" one mother vehemently declared in the video. Another voice summarized the dire situation: "We've been without power for two days. Look at the kids. And school starts on the first of September. We're without electricity. There's nothing."
Families explained that without power, preserving their children's meals was impossible. They noted that the ongoing blackouts had prevented their children from getting adequate rest, conditions they deemed unacceptable for returning to school. Others in the video called for widespread participation in the protest.
On Sunday night, a pot-banging protest erupted in El Vedado after more than 24 hours without electricity, underscoring the widespread discontent.
Street Protests Gain Momentum Across Havana
Women blocking streets as a form of protest has become a recurring phenomenon in various parts of the capital. In July, women obstructed the Calzada de Diez de Octubre to express their grievances over power outages. That same month, residents of Mantilla in Arroyo Naranjo also blocked the Calzada de Managua after enduring over two months without regular water supply.
School Year Begins Amid Severe Shortages
The start of the school year in Cuba is overshadowed by significant shortages, acknowledged by the authorities themselves. Education Minister Naima Trujillo conceded to "tremendous difficulties," revealing that only 73% of teaching positions are filled, with a shortfall of at least 24,000 educators.
The national industry was able to produce merely 12% of the uniforms needed. Trujillo admitted, "Without power, no workshop can operate." Despite these challenges, the regime insisted on maintaining the September first start date.
The stark contrast between official statements and the harsh reality faced by citizens is evident. While the Communist Party of Cuba hailed the school year's start as "another act of heroism" and Díaz-Canel denied the country's collapse, the mothers of Arroyo Naranjo were taking a stand, blocking a street with their children seated on the pavement.
Key Questions About Cuba's Current Crisis
What sparked the protest by mothers in Arroyo Naranjo?
The protest was ignited by over 48 hours without electricity and more than three days without potable water, just before the school year was set to begin.
How are the power outages affecting Cuban families?
Power outages have made it difficult for families to preserve food and have disrupted children's rest, making it challenging for them to attend school prepared.
What challenges is the Cuban education system facing at the start of the school year?
The education system is grappling with a severe shortage of teachers, with only 73% of positions filled, and a lack of necessary resources like school uniforms.