In the early hours of Friday, a significant protest coupled with street bonfires emerged in the Santos Suárez neighborhood, located in Havana's 10 de Octubre municipality, despite a visible police presence in the area.
According to videos widely shared on Facebook, one of the main centers of this midnight unrest was identified in the Santo Suárez district, particularly at the intersection of Santa Irene and Calzada de Diez de Octubre, where residents took to the streets, banging pots and pans.
The demonstrators set up bonfires directly on the streets, effectively bringing traffic to a complete standstill in the vicinity.
At the same time, reports of a pot-banging protest, known as a "cacerolazo," emerged from the area near the Esquina de Toyo, a site that was notably active during the July 11, 2021 protests.
Eyewitness accounts describe the presence of police patrols and members of the so-called "black berets," which has sparked anxiety among local residents.
"Right now, there's an intense pot-banging happening near the Esquina de Toyo. There are patrols and black berets, and there's fear that this could escalate into a larger demonstration," noted activist Yamilka Lafita, also known as Lara Crofs, on Facebook.
Photos and videos circulating on social media depict dozens of individuals gathered in the area, undeterred by the deployment of repressive forces.
These occurrences follow earlier reports of similar protests in neighborhoods such as Lawton and Alamar. Additionally, there have been unverified reports from Tamarindo in Santos Suárez.
While electricity has been restored in some areas, the protests reveal that social dissatisfaction extends beyond power outages, driven by the broader economic crisis and widespread hardship facing the population.
So far, the authorities have not provided an official statement regarding these incidents, which add to a day marked by numerous expressions of discontent in the Cuban capital.
Understanding the Recent Protests in Havana
What triggered the protests in Santos Suárez?
The protests were triggered by widespread social dissatisfaction, exacerbated by economic hardships and ongoing power outages.
How have the authorities responded to the protests?
Authorities have not yet released an official response, but there has been a significant police presence, including the deployment of "black berets" to control the situation.
Are the protests related to electricity outages?
While some areas have had power restored, the protests underscore broader social discontent that goes beyond the issue of electricity outages.