This past Sunday, the people of Guairajal, located in Mayarí, Holguín, staged a street protest after enduring 25 days without electricity.
With signs and chants of "We want power!" the community demanded the restoration of their electric service, which had been disrupted by Hurricane Melissa, according to reports from Martí Noticias.
"We want them to pay attention to this neighborhood. They want to erase it. There used to be over 200 homes here, and now there are less than 40," stated one protester, as women with children in their arms and men rallied together.
"Every day we talk to the delegate and the president of the People's Council, but nobody listens to us," the protester added.
The Guairajal protest is part of a growing wave of demonstrations over the lack of electric service in areas affected by Hurricane Melissa, now nearly a month since the storm hit.
Last Tuesday, residents of El Carmen neighborhood in the Mar Verde area, Santiago de Cuba, exhausted after more than 20 days without power, took to the streets and blocked traffic in another protest highlighting the severe energy crisis in the province.
On Sunday, people in Vista Hermosa and Altamira banged pots and pans in the dark demanding electricity, while denouncing that the repressive forces arrived before the power crews. Videos shared by activists show dozens of individuals shouting “power!” in the middle of the night.
Just hours earlier, in La Loma de Chicharrones, another crowd gathered after going twenty days without electricity. The swift arrival of police and subsequent deployment of the electric company was seen by many as further proof that in Cuba, issues are only addressed when protests arise.
In the city center, residents reported extortion and demanded payments of up to 15,000 pesos to have their power reconnected, a practice that fueled even more outrage.
Additionally, on Monday night, the community of San Pablo in the José Martí district lost their patience. After nearly 20 days without electricity and living under extreme conditions, dozens of residents flooded the main streets with shouts and banging pots.
Earlier this month, a protest in Maqueicito, Guantánamo, over the lack of electricity and water led to the arrest of four individuals. Increased police surveillance followed the demonstration, reflecting the growing discontent in eastern Cuba.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Protests
What triggered the protest in Guairajal?
The protest was triggered by the community's frustration after enduring 25 days without electricity, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
How did the authorities respond to the protests?
The authorities responded by deploying police forces quickly, often arriving before electric repair crews, which many residents saw as a sign that protests are necessary to get attention to their problems.
What additional issues did residents face besides power outages?
Residents also reported extortion, with demands for payments up to 15,000 pesos to have their electricity reconnected, which exacerbated their frustration and indignation.