Residents of Calle 3 in the Veguita de Galo community, located in southern Santiago de Cuba, have been without electricity for 26 consecutive days. They express frustration over the lack of an effective response from the authorities. This complaint was highlighted on July 19 by journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada via his Facebook page, who gathered firsthand accounts from those affected.
The locals describe the situation as a "tremendous abuse," emphasizing that vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and bedridden individuals are suffering the most as conditions worsen without electrical service.
An attempt by the Santiago de Cuba Electric Company to resolve the issue involved replacing a faulty transformer in the area. However, the newly installed equipment failed, exploding within two hours of operation, plunging the community back into darkness.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals, summarized the official response by stating, "Every time we call, we're told to wait."
Community's Plea for Action Falls on Deaf Ears
The affected residents report having contacted the authorities multiple times, even reaching out to the Communist Party leaders on Sunday, yet they received no commitment or attention to resolve the problem.
Veguita de Galo is a peripheral neighborhood with approximately 19,000 inhabitants, known for its collective organization in response to service crises. In June and July of 2026, residents successfully thwarted three attempts by the Electric Company to remove functioning transformers for prioritized circuits due to a critical shortage of spare parts in the eastern region.
Nationwide Energy Collapse Hits Santiago de Cuba
The situation in this Santiago community reflects a larger energy collapse affecting Cuba, the worst in decades. Starting June 16, the Electric Company restructured blackouts into nine residential blocks in Santiago, providing only one or two hours of electricity daily. By July, 11 thermoelectric units were out of service nationwide, including the Antonio Maceo plant in Santiago itself.
The national energy deficit hit a historic high of 2,341 MW on July 8, leaving approximately 73% of the Cuban population without power. The National Electroenergetic System experienced three total collapses within just eight days—on July 6, 10, and 14—marking the fifth complete blackout of the year. Further compounding the problem, Venezuela ceased oil supplies to Cuba from January 2026, depriving the island of necessary fuel to maintain its power generation.
The mounting desperation has sparked a wave of protests across the country. On the same Sunday, residents of Consulado and Refugio in Central Havana staged a pots-and-pans protest with fires in the street, verbally clashing with deployed police forces. Similar protests erupted in Lawton and El Vedado days earlier. In June 2026, Cuba witnessed 107 street protests, the highest monthly count recorded to date.
Unresolved Crisis and Community Resilience
The organization Cubalex documented at least 38 arrests related to recent protests, while President Miguel Díaz-Canel merely urged for better "organization of blackouts" on July 8, failing to announce any structural measures to boost power generation.
Meanwhile, the residents of Veguita de Galo continue to await a response to their pleas, facing the same unchanging reply: they must wait.
FAQ: Understanding the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What caused the power outage in Veguita de Galo?
The power outage in Veguita de Galo was initially due to a faulty transformer, which the Santiago de Cuba Electric Company attempted to replace. However, the new transformer exploded shortly after installation, leaving the neighborhood without electricity again.
How is the national energy crisis affecting Santiago de Cuba?
Santiago de Cuba is experiencing severe power shortages as part of a nationwide energy collapse. The Electric Company has limited electricity to just one or two hours daily due to a massive deficit, with several thermoelectric plants out of service.
What actions have residents taken in response to the power outages?
Residents have repeatedly reported the outages and reached out to the Communist Party without success. Protests have erupted nationwide, including pots-and-pans demonstrations in Havana, as communities demand government action.