On Tuesday night, dozens of residents in Central Havana took to the streets for a massive protest against the ongoing power outages. They gathered in front of the Lázaro Peña Theater in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, continuing their demonstration even after electricity was restored in the area.
A video sent to our newsroom shows residents banging pots and pans in the street while chanting slogans that go beyond just demanding electricity.
Chants of "We want freedom, not electricity" filled the air, as protesters also shouted "Freedom!", "Wounded Homeland!", and "Homeland and Life!".
The Authorities' Strategy and the Persistent Protests
The footage reveals that power returned after the protest had gained momentum, a tactic that locals and activists claim is often used by the authorities to quell demonstrations sparked by blackouts.
Nevertheless, the return of electricity did not end the protest. Demonstrators continued their clamor for several minutes before eventually dispersing.
Widespread Unrest Across Havana
The protest in Central Havana was part of a broader wave of demonstrations occurring simultaneously in various parts of the capital.
Similar protests were reported in Alamar, where residents set piles of trash on fire to block roads, as well as in La Hata, a municipality of Guanabacoa, and in Jaimanitas and Arroyo Arenas.
In La Hata, residents of temporary shelters protested near military buildings, highlighting the stark contrast between their living conditions and the better-equipped military facilities, which feature gardens, lighting, and superior finishes.
Energy Crisis Fuels Discontent
These protests are unfolding against the backdrop of a severe energy crisis gripping Cuba.
On July 6, the island experienced its seventh total collapse of the National Electric System in just 18 months, marking the third such incident in 2026 alone, following the shutdown of Unit 6 at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant in Camagüey.
Although the system was reconnected early Wednesday morning, power generation remains significantly below demand. On Wednesday morning, availability barely reached 1,000 MW compared to a demand of 2,750 MW, with the Electric Union forecasting a peak-time deficit exceeding 2,000 MW.
Extended blackouts are affecting the entire country. Some areas in Matanzas report outages exceeding 87 consecutive hours, while in Granma, some localities have been without power for more than 72 hours. In Havana, daily blackouts average around 15 hours, according to official reports and citizen complaints.
Compounding the crisis is a shortage of fuel. Cuba has not received new oil shipments for several months, and its domestic production, estimated at 40,000 barrels per day, falls far short of the 90,000 to 110,000 barrels needed to sustain the power generation system.
Growing Social Unrest
The increase in power outages has been accompanied by a rise in protests.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 107 street protests in June, the highest monthly figure documented by the organization, with 82 occurring in Havana.
In a recent interview with the Puerto Rican weekly CLARIDAD, Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuba faces "shortages of transportation, food, and medicine" and "prolonged blackouts of more than twenty hours". However, he once again blamed the U.S. embargo for the crisis and urged Cubans: "Bang the pots at the northern neighbors, they're the ones keeping us in the dark."
The images from Central Havana show that for many protesters, the demonstrations are no longer just about demanding the restoration of electricity but also express a broader dissatisfaction with the country's current situation.
Understanding the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What sparked the protests in Central Havana?
The protests in Central Havana were triggered by ongoing power outages and were fueled by a broader call for freedom and better living conditions.
How are the authorities responding to the protests?
Authorities have been accused of using power restoration as a tactic to disperse protests, but this has not deterred demonstrators from continuing their actions.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing severe energy shortages, with power generation falling far short of demand, leading to prolonged blackouts across the country.