The community of Maqueicito in Guantánamo province woke up to a heavy police presence after a protest erupted on Thursday due to the ongoing lack of electricity and water, as reported by independent outlet ClickCuba.
Local residents confirmed the arrest of at least four individuals: a woman and three young men identified as Maciel Diéguez, his nephew Walter Diéguez, Yordano Leiva, and Pedro Roberto Sarmiento Almaguer.
According to eyewitness accounts, the arrests took place a few hours after dozens of townspeople, including many minors, took to the streets, setting tires on fire to demand the restoration of electrical service that has been disrupted for over ten days.
Sources from the area mentioned that the detainees might have been taken to State Security facilities located on the road to El Salvador, outside the city of Guantánamo, although there is no official confirmation of this.
Heightened Security and Fear
“Since last night, Maqueicito has been taken over by State Security. There are unfamiliar people at the bus stop, and nobody can record or discuss the situation,” a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported.
The atmosphere in the area is tense and filled with fear. Residents note a continuous presence of officers and police vehicles since the night of the protest. Families of those arrested are desperately trying to locate their loved ones amidst the authorities' silence.
Escalating Unrest in Eastern Cuba
The protest in Maqueicito marks the first public demonstration in this locality, highlighting the mounting dissatisfaction in eastern Cuba, one of the regions hardest hit by resource shortages and slow recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
Residents of Maqueicito, part of the Paraguay district, took to the streets on Thursday after enduring ten days without power in the hurricane's aftermath. During the protest, locals criticized the lack of official response and the internet service suspension during the demonstration.
The meteorological event caused severe damage in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, leaving thousands of families without roofs, water, or food. In this context, the protest in Maqueicito adds to the voices of a population worn out by blackouts, scarcity, and governmental silence in the face of a crisis that continues to plague the entire eastern part of the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Maqueicito Protests
What triggered the protest in Maqueicito?
The protest was sparked by the lack of electricity and water, which had persisted for over ten days, leaving residents frustrated and desperate for essential services.
Who were the individuals arrested during the protest?
Four people were detained: Maciel Diéguez, his nephew Walter Diéguez, Yordano Leiva, and Pedro Roberto Sarmiento Almaguer.
Has there been any official response to the protest?
As of now, there has been no official confirmation or response regarding the protest or the arrests from the authorities.