In a bold move against the ongoing hardships, residents of El Cerro in Havana took to the streets, blocking a thoroughfare in protest over the persistent power outages and lack of water supply plaguing their community.
The situation was brought to light by Cuban journalist Mario Pentón, who shared accounts from locals along with a video depicting the scene in the affected area on social media.
According to reports, the community members used water buckets to obstruct the street, preventing vehicles from passing, as a way to demand a resolution to the deprivation of essential services.
Pentón elaborated that this sector of the municipality has been suffering from power cuts for over two weeks, with electricity available for merely two hours each day.
Moreover, locals reported enduring several days without running water, leaving many reservoirs completely dry.
Following the street blockade, police officers arrived to question the residents about their grievances. Shortly thereafter, motorcycles from the Technical Investigations Department (DTI) began to appear on the scene.
Those involved in the demonstration insisted on the immediate dispatch of a water truck while they waited for a response to their dire circumstances.
This incident is part of a broader crisis affecting various parts of the nation, where extended blackouts and water shortages are fueling widespread dissatisfaction.
In a related act of defiance, residents set fire to trash at the intersection of Belascoaín and Jesús Peregrino in Centro Havana, just a few blocks from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, marking another day of protests across Cuba.
Cuban journalist José Raúl Gallego reported this event on his Facebook profile, noting that it occurred during the tenth consecutive day of protests throughout the country.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What prompted the residents of El Cerro to block the street?
The residents blocked the street to protest against the prolonged power outages and water shortages affecting their community.
How long have the power outages been occurring in El Cerro?
The power outages in El Cerro have been ongoing for more than two weeks, with electricity available for only about two hours each day.
What was the response of the authorities to the street blockade?
Police officers arrived at the scene to inquire about the reasons for the protest, and later, motorcycles from the Technical Investigations Department appeared.