An inadvertent slide shown during a live broadcast on the state-run Canal Caribe has unveiled the Cuban government's underlying concern about social unrest. The revealed slide showcased the true aim behind President Miguel Díaz-Canel's municipal tours: preventing social upheaval.
The slip-up occurred at 6:33 a.m. during the "Revista Buenos Días" program. In the background of an interview with two officials, an official presentation became visible, stating: "COMPLIANCE WITH PRESIDENT OF THE CDN'S DIRECTIVE 2 AND ACTIONS IN THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND COMMUNICATIONAL SPHERE TO PREVENT SOCIAL UNREST."
On the very same day, Canal Caribe highlighted Díaz-Canel's visits to Old Havana, Arroyo Naranjo, and La Lisa as efforts to manage "the complex current situation," focusing on food production, services, and community engagement.
The leaked image exposes that these visits aim to discreetly manage the risk of social upheaval through political, economic, and communicational means.
Social Turmoil and Government Actions
During Thursday's tours, Díaz-Canel demanded "definitive solutions" from local authorities so that more than 348,000 retirees in Havana could receive their pensions monthly. He emphasized the need to "preserve citizen tranquility."
The government's concerns are not without basis. In June 2026, Cuba saw a record 107 street protests, nearly doubling the previous high of 54 in March, with 82 of these protests taking place in Havana.
May proved even more turbulent, with 1,311 protests nationwide—a 42% increase from April—according to data from independent analysts.
Root Causes of the Unrest
The underlying causes remain consistent: prolonged power outages lasting up to 48 hours in Havana and 87 hours in Matanzas, along with shortages of food, water, and waste collection. Cubalex documented 319 repressive events from June to mid-May 2026, including 135 repressive actions in prisons and streets in June alone.
The "Directive 2 of the President of the CDN" mentioned in the slide refers to the National Defense Council, led by Díaz-Canel, which in January 2026 approved plans for transitioning to a State of War.
Remarkably, the foundational document dates back to July 2021—the same month as the 11J protests—and continues to serve as the prevailing doctrinal framework in 2026, indicating a sustained strategy to curb social discord through territorial military structures.
On July 12, Díaz-Canel inspected the "War of All the People" plans in the Cerro municipality, urging defense councils to act "without awaiting further instructions" in case of an exceptional situation.
In May 2026, historian Rafael Rojas warned that the regime could collapse due to "an uncontrollable social explosion," a scenario he deemed "very near."
The slide captured on state television this Friday confirms that the regime itself recognizes this potential, even if it does not publicly acknowledge it.
Understanding Cuba's Social Unrest
What triggered the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests were sparked by long power outages, food and water shortages, and inadequate waste management, among other issues.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to prevent social unrest?
The government has focused on political, economic, and communicational strategies, as well as the mobilization of the territorial military structure, to manage and prevent social upheaval.
How significant were the protests in terms of historical records?
June 2026 saw a record-breaking 107 protests, the highest ever recorded, with the previous record being 54 in March of the same year.