Residents of Jaimanitas, a neighborhood in Havana's Playa municipality, took to the streets on Sunday to express their frustration over the prolonged power outages plaguing the area. This demonstration was captured by independent journalist Yunia Figueredo through posts on her Facebook profile.
The photographs shared by Figueredo depict numerous individuals gathered on 5th Avenue, in front of the local library, both at sunset and later into the night.
"Jaimanitas heated up. They turned on the power! Hit the streets, Cubans! Freedom," the journalist exclaimed while sharing the images of the protest.
Prior to the protest, Figueredo had lamented on the same social platform about enduring 23 hours without electricity: "Down with the damn dictatorship. No one can endure this."
Upon witnessing her neighbors' mobilization, she expressed her pride with another post: "I am so proud of my Jaimanitas today. We planted the seed, and here is the result! They finally woke up!"
This protest occurs amid an unprecedented electrical deficit in Cuba, where the Electric Union projected a shortfall of 2,230 MW for the peak evening hours on Sunday, with 11 thermal units out of service — six due to breakdowns and five under maintenance.
In Havana, power cuts have lasted over 20, and even up to 33 hours daily in various circuits, affecting 72% of Cuba's territory at the beginning of July.
Persistent Resistance in Jaimanitas
Jaimanitas is no stranger to acts of resistance. Playa municipality has become a significant hub for protests in the capital since March 2026, with frequent incidents in Jaimanitas, Miramar, Buenavista, Querejeta, and Santa Fe.
Figueredo herself was detained in March after participating in a pot-banging protest against the blackouts in the neighborhood; she was released hours later as her young daughters were home alone.
Growing Wave of Protests
The demonstrations in July are part of a growing wave of protests: June saw 107 street protests across Cuba, nearly double the previous record of 54 in March, with Havana accounting for 82 of them.
The slogans have evolved from "We want power!" to "Freedom!" and "Down with the dictatorship!" indicating that public discontent extends beyond the energy crisis to directly challenge the regime.
Reports from Martí Noticias also noted pot-banging protests in Santa Fe on Sunday, confirming that the mobilization spread across various parts of Playa municipality.
These July protests come just days before the fifth anniversary of July 11, 2021, the largest popular demonstrations in Cuba in decades, adding significant symbolic weight to the current protests.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Protests
Why are Cubans protesting in Jaimanitas?
Cubans in Jaimanitas are protesting due to prolonged power outages and the broader dissatisfaction with the government, which many blame for the ongoing energy crisis and other systemic issues.
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by a significant deficit in electricity generation, with many thermal units out of service due to maintenance and breakdowns.
How has the government responded to the protests?
The Cuban government has historically responded to protests with detentions and crackdowns. In this particular instance, there is no detailed information on the immediate governmental response to the Jaimanitas protest.