Residents living on Salud Street, between Santiago and Márquez González in Central Havana, took to the streets on Tuesday, banging pots and pans in protest after enduring over 28 hours without electricity, gas, or water. This demonstration was captured in videos sent to CubaNet directly from the scene.
The convergence of these three critical shortages fueled the frustration of the local community, who made their voices heard by taking their protest to the streets, demanding solutions to the ongoing service crisis plaguing their neighborhood.
This protest occurred amid yet another failure of Havana's manufactured gas system. On the same day, the Manufactured Gas Company announced a "force majeure" technical failure that left between 208,000 and 284,000 customers across eight districts of the capital, including Central Havana, Old Havana, Cerro, Diez de Octubre, Plaza de la Revolución, Playa, and Marianao, without gas. The company did not specify when the service would be restored.
The gas outage exacerbates an existing energy crisis, which in June subjected Havana to power cuts lasting up to 20 to 22 hours daily. On June 25th, the national power generation deficit hit a record 2,208 MW, simultaneously leaving nearly 70% of the country in the dark.
Compounding these issues is the deteriorating potable water supply. Official figures indicate that over 376,000 Havana residents are experiencing water service disruptions, a dire situation that residents of Salud Street highlighted alongside the prolonged power outages and absence of gas.
Protests Accumulate in Central Havana
The pot-banging protest on Tuesday is part of a series of demonstrations recorded in Central Havana over recent weeks. On June 3rd, protests erupted in the San Lázaro area; on the 8th, in Infanta and San Lázaro; on the 17th, in Manrique and Reina; and between June 19th and 20th, residents of Escobar and San Miguel built barricades and set piles of garbage ablaze in the streets.
According to the Cuban Conflict Observatory (OCC), there were 1,311 protests in May 2026, marking the highest number since the July 11, 2021, demonstrations. This period was described as "the most prolonged wave" of public dissatisfaction documented in recent years.
Independent organizations report that the government's response has involved police deployments, arrests, and internet access restrictions in protest-affected areas. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights documented at least 38 arrests during the June protests, including six minors.
Underlying Causes of the Service Crisis
The crisis in basic services is a consequence of the country's deteriorating infrastructure. Years of insufficient investment, an aging power system—exemplified by frequent breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant—and a reduced oil supply have exacerbated conditions, forcing countless Cuban families to endure blackouts, water shortages, and a lack of cooking fuel. Meanwhile, those turning to the black market are paying between $24 and $50 for a cylinder of liquefied gas, a cost far beyond the reach of most state salaries.
Understanding the Protests in Central Havana
What sparked the protest on Salud Street in Central Havana?
The protest was ignited by residents' frustration over enduring more than 28 hours without electricity, gas, and water, leading them to take to the streets in a pot-banging demonstration to demand solutions.
How has the government responded to the protests?
The authorities have responded with police deployments, arrests, and restricted internet access in areas where protests have occurred. At least 38 arrests were documented during the protests in June, including minors.
What are the main factors contributing to the crisis in basic services?
The crisis stems from years of inadequate investment, an aging power infrastructure, frequent power plant breakdowns, and a decreased oil supply, all of which have worsened the conditions for many Cuban families.