Residents in the Condado neighborhood of Santa Clara took to the streets on Tuesday night, banging pots and pans in protest against the ongoing power outages plaguing the capital of Villa Clara. This demonstration was reported by the organization Citizenry and Freedom and shared on social media by former political prisoner Andy García Lorenzo.
Simultaneously, Havana experienced a night of heightened tension. Activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa reported a fire at a garbage site at the intersection of Zapotes and Durege in Santos Suárez, while user Daniela O. reported another fire in the Playa municipality following a pot-banging protest, according to activist Magdiel Jorge Castro's social media posts.
Widespread Protests and Government Response
A massive demonstration was also reported on the same day at Manrique and Reina in Central Havana, just six blocks from the Capitol building. These events unfolded on the eve of the Extraordinary Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, convened for Wednesday to assess a set of economic reforms proposed by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
García Lorenzo, who shared footage of the Santa Clara protest, is a former political prisoner sentenced to four years for his involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests, facing charges of public disorder, contempt, and assault.
Persistent Power Outages and Public Discontent
Power outages in Villa Clara have reached up to 20 hours a day, while in Havana, they range from 12 to 22 hours. Cuba's power generation deficit set a record at 2,113 MW on May 13, 2026, according to the Electrical Union's data.
This latest wave of protests is part of a sustained movement that has continued since March. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,311 protests in May 2026 alone, nearing the historical record of 1,333 in December 2025, and documented 46 in-person street protests that month, the second-highest in its history.
The slogans have intensified over time. Initially, Cubans demanded "Power and food!", but by June 10 in El Cotorro, cries of "Down with the dictatorship!" were heard, and on June 3, protesters in San Lázaro, Central Havana, pushed back against the police during a nighttime protest.
The Regime's Dual Strategy: Repression and Reforms
The regime's response has been a mix of repression and reform announcements. Cubalex documented at least 14 arrests in Havana related to protests over power outages since March 6, 2026.
The Extraordinary Plenum of the PCC scheduled for Wednesday aims to discuss measures such as reducing ministries from 27 to 21, increasing business and municipal autonomy, promoting small and medium-sized enterprises, and opening up to investment from Cubans abroad.
Analysts view this plenum as a reaction to the accumulated social pressure, yet the concurrent street protests and party meetings highlight the challenge facing the regime: while the Political Bureau deliberates behind closed doors, Cubans continue their noisy demonstrations in the streets.
Understanding the Recent Protests in Cuba
What triggered the latest protests in Santa Clara and Havana?
The protests were primarily sparked by prolonged power outages affecting the regions, with residents expressing their frustration through demonstrations such as banging pots and pans.
How has the Cuban government responded to these protests?
The government's response has included a combination of repression, with at least 14 arrests reported, and the announcement of economic reforms aimed at addressing social pressures.
What economic reforms are being discussed in the Communist Party's plenum?
The reforms under discussion include reducing the number of ministries, increasing autonomy for businesses and municipalities, promoting small and medium-sized enterprises, and allowing investment from Cubans abroad.