Residents of the Nalón neighborhood in Guanabacoa staged a loud protest on Saturday after enduring more than 33 consecutive hours without electricity. The incident was reported by independent journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro on Instagram.
This demonstration coincided with the fifth anniversary of the significant social uprising on July 11, 2021, the largest in Cuba since 1959. On that day, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in over 40 cities, demanding freedom, food, and an end to power outages.
The protest occurred amidst an unprecedented energy crisis. On July 10, at 4:30 PM, the National Electric System (SEN) experienced its fourth total collapse of the year, marking the eighth such event in 24 months. The failure of the western microsystem complicated the restoration of service on the anniversary night.
Guanabacoa has been witnessing escalating tensions for weeks. On July 8, residents of shelters and military-use buildings in La Hata, within the same municipality, held a similar protest during a 24-hour blackout, chanting "Freedom!" and "Down with the dictatorship!"
On the same day, people in Cayo Hueso, in Central Havana, took to the streets with the slogan "We want freedom, not electricity!" even after power was restored in the area. Meanwhile, in Alamar, other residents burned trash to block roads, shouting "Down with the dictatorship!"
The protests have evolved from demands for basic services to direct calls for political change. In June 2026 alone, there were 107 street protests in Cuba, setting an all-time high and nearly doubling the previous record of 54 in March. Out of these, 82 were concentrated in Havana.
Power outages in the capital reached peaks of up to 35 hours daily in July, while cuts in Matanzas extended to 87 consecutive hours and in Granma to 72. In response to the severity of the crisis, Díaz-Canel publicly urged for "better organization of the blackouts," a statement that sparked widespread indignation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marrero blamed the collapses on the U.S. embargo.
Five years after the events of July 11, 2021, 1,281 political prisoners remain jailed in Cuba, with 338 of them directly linked to those protests. An amnesty declared in April 2026 explicitly excluded them, according to a statement from one of the 11J demonstrators: "I went out to demand freedom, and it changed my life forever."
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What triggered the recent protests in Guanabacoa?
The immediate trigger was the unbearable 33-hour power outage, leading residents to express their frustration and demand change.
How frequent are power outages in Cuba?
Power outages have become increasingly frequent, with some areas experiencing blackouts lasting up to 87 hours.
What are the broader implications of these protests?
The protests reflect a growing discontent with the current political and economic system, with calls for substantial change and improved living conditions.