A resident of Playa, a municipality in Havana, has crafted an ingenious homemade device known as the "automatic pot drummer." This contraption, installed on the roof of his home, utilizes even the slightest breeze to produce sounds reminiscent of the banging pots and pans used by Cubans to protest against power outages.
The inventor showcased his creation in a video shared with the independent outlet elTOQUE, which featured it in their "Citizen Report" section.
"Block 2 is among the hardest hit by the extended power cuts, yet the locals don't take to the streets, light fires, or voice complaints," elTOQUE commented in their report.
This lack of action carries direct consequences: "That's why our electricity is cut off more frequently than anywhere else," they noted.
The device represents a creative response to this collective inaction, though the inventor jokingly admits it seems to annoy his neighbors more than the authorities on the island.
Energy Crisis Sparks Creativity
This invention emerges amid one of the most severe energy crises Cuba has faced in decades. In March 2026 alone, the island experienced at least six nationwide blackouts, with the longest one lasting 29 hours and 29 minutes on March 16.
The electrical shortfall reached 1,885 MW, with only 1,110 to 1,190 MW available against a demand peaking at 3,080 MW.
In Havana, outages stretched up to 20 hours on March 20 and 14 hours on March 30.
Protests in Playa
Playa is among the capital's municipalities most deeply affected by this crisis. A fault in a 110 kV line impacted substations across several city areas, causing deficits up to 322 MW in the region.
The municipality has become a frequent protest hotspot. On March 23, following pot-banging protests accompanied by burning trash in the streets, police and firefighters arrived; shortly after, authorities restored power, which witnesses interpreted as a direct response to public pressure.
Since March 6, nighttime pot-banging protests have erupted in numerous Havana neighborhoods — Vedado, Lawton, Alamar, Santos Suárez, Playa, and El Cerro — as well as in provinces like Santiago de Cuba and Ciego de Ávila. Cubalex documented at least 156 protests and 47 arrests by March 17.
Innovation in the Face of Adversity
The "automatic pot drummer" follows a long tradition of Cuban ingenuity in times of crisis: in recent months, island residents have created fans powered by walkie-talkie batteries, makeshift chargers using telephone line voltage, almond leaf stoves, and solar-panel-equipped electric pedicabs.
This time, however, the invention's aim isn't to endure the blackout but to protest it — even if it means the sound of wind striking a pot on a Playa rooftop.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Protests
What inspired the creation of the "automatic pot drummer"?
The device was inspired by the frequent power outages in Havana, providing a symbolic protest against the government's handling of the energy crisis.
How severe is the current energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing one of its most serious energy crises, with nationwide blackouts and significant gaps between power supply and demand.
What role do protests play in this situation?
Protests, often involving pot-banging, highlight public dissatisfaction and have occasionally pressured authorities to restore power.