In the heart of Santiago de Cuba, outraged residents took to the streets on Saturday, demanding the immediate restoration of electricity and condemning the alleged extortionate fees local officials are charging to reconnect power following Hurricane Melissa.
The protest unfolded on Carnicería Street, between San Antonio and San Mateo, highlighting a growing frustration among the population, who have been reporting irregularities and extortionate practices amidst the ongoing emergency situation.
According to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, locals were informed they must pay 15,000 pesos for the necessary repairs by the crews, despite neighboring blocks regaining power without any charge. This amount is unattainable for many families and serves as a blatant example of how some officials exploit people's desperation even during a crisis.
Among those affected are homes with young children, the elderly, and families who have been unable to cook for days due to the lack of gas. The absence of electricity is compounded by a serious epidemiological situation, with residents also being charged 500 pesos for fumigation while mosquitoes breed among the debris and stagnant water left by the hurricane.
Frustrated by the official silence and lack of response from authorities, the residents blocked the street with trash and positioned themselves at the corners as a form of peaceful protest. "We want respect, we want light, we want an end to the abuses," declared one protester, as neighbors demanded transparency in the recovery process.
This scene unfolded just a week after a protest in Maqueicito, Guantánamo, where dozens took to the streets after ten days without electricity, also due to the hurricane.
In that locality, the demonstration concluded with four people arrested and a heavy military presence, along with an internet blackout during the protest night.
The eastern region of Cuba, severely battered by Hurricane Melissa, is experiencing a slow and uneven recovery. While some neighborhoods have received assistance, others remain in darkness or are being asked to pay for a service that, by law, should be restored at no cost.
In a context marked by extreme shortages, inadequate wages, and a collapsed healthcare system, each day without power results in spoiled food, lack of water, increased vector proliferation, and heightened stress affecting the entire community.
Key Issues in Post-Hurricane Recovery in Cuba
What are residents of Santiago de Cuba protesting?
Residents are protesting against the extortionate fees demanded by local officials for reconnecting power after Hurricane Melissa, as well as the overall lack of response from authorities in addressing their needs.
How have local officials responded to the crisis?
Authorities have remained largely silent, with residents reporting no official responses or solutions to the extortionate practices occurring during this critical recovery period.
What challenges do communities face without electricity?
Without electricity, communities face spoiled food, lack of water, increased mosquito proliferation, and heightened stress levels, exacerbating the already dire conditions.