Residents of El Cerro, a Havana district, have recently engaged in two protests, demanding the restoration of essential services like electricity and potable water amidst an ongoing crisis that shows no signs of abating.
The first demonstration was captured by activist Saúl Manuel, affiliated with the channel "Cuba Levántate," and occurred on a Tuesday night in the Atarés neighborhood. The video revealed that the locals had been without power for five days due to a broken transformer that authorities refused to fix, leaving them with only two hours of electricity per day prior to that.
"Tonight at 7:00 PM, here in Atarés, we've gone 5 days without power because of a damaged transformer, and no one is coming to repair it. Plus, we're getting just two hours of electricity daily. We are shouting for freedom because we can't take it anymore. We're blocking the street, trying to stop traffic peacefully," the video transcript reads.
The second protest was highlighted by rapper El Funky, one of the creators behind the opposition anthem "Patria y Vida."
In his video about the El Cerro protest, a crowd of locals is seen blocking a main road using buckets and containers to halt vehicle passage.
"Cerro has taken to the streets. More than three days without water," El Funky wrote, accompanied by the hashtag #cubaestadofallido.
These protests are part of a wave of social unrest that has been shaking Havana since late May 2026.
On June 11, residents of Luyanó demanded water and electricity, while in Regla, inhabitants stopped a bus to protest the simultaneous lack of these services.
In Los Sitios, hundreds banged pots and pans after receiving only 1.5 hours of electricity over a two-day period, and the people of Guanabo confronted authorities on June 22, demanding water, food, and power.
The water shortage is a direct result of the power outages, as the pumping system relies on electricity. More than 376,000 individuals in Havana lack regular access to potable water, according to June 2026 statistics.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana
What triggered the protests in El Cerro?
The protests were sparked by prolonged power outages and water shortages, with locals demanding the restoration of these essential services.
Who reported the first protest in Atarés?
The first protest was reported by activist Saúl Manuel, associated with the channel "Cuba Levántate."
How are power outages linked to water shortages in Havana?
The power outages affect the water supply because the pumping systems require electricity to function, leading to a lack of regular access to potable water.