On Monday morning, several buildings in the Peñas Altas neighborhood of Guanabo, located in the eastern part of Havana, were found covered in graffiti criticizing Miguel Díaz-Canel. This occurred just hours after a local protest erupted over ongoing power outages plaguing the community.
The graffiti, painted in blue spray paint, featured messages like "DOWN WITH CANEL" and "CANEL SINGAO / CANEL 26," visible on the exteriors of at least three buildings, according to images received by our newsroom.
Community Outcry Over Prolonged Outages
The graffiti appeared following a spontaneous demonstration by residents frustrated with the frequent power cuts. On Sunday, after enduring several consecutive hours without electricity, locals took to the streets to demand the restoration of service.
Protesters banged pots, staged noisy demonstrations, and set fire to piles of trash at various locations in the neighborhood to voice their anger over the energy crisis.
According to residents, shortly after the protest began, the power was restored, and since then, the supply has remained stable.
A Neighborhood with a History of Protests
Peñas Altas is no stranger to protests over basic service deficiencies. Back on June 22, 2026, residents gathered outside the People's Power headquarters demanding water, electricity, and food. Still, the following day, a local resident reported that the community remained without water and power.
Protests against blackouts have spread throughout Cuba in recent weeks. In July alone, there were reports of similar demonstrations in Alamar, Guanabacoa, Jaimanitas, Centro Habana, Arroyo Arenas, and other neighborhoods in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
The Energy Crisis Fuels Discontent
The mounting public dissatisfaction coincides with the worsening crisis of the National Electric System. In July, the electrical grid suffered three nationwide collapses on the 6th, 10th, and 14th, leaving most of the country without power each time.
By July 26, electricity generation capacity was only 900 MW, against an estimated demand of 3,200 MW, leading to widespread blackouts. Some areas in Havana experienced outages lasting over 35 continuous hours, while official forecasts indicated that up to 65% of the national territory could face disruptions during peak consumption times.
Recurring Calls for Change Since July 11 Uprising
The "Down with Canel" graffiti is not a new phenomenon. Since the protests of July 11, 2021, similar messages have repeatedly appeared in various parts of the country as expressions of dissent against the government.
This year alone, such graffiti has been reported in Bayamo, Santos Suárez, and Santiago de Cuba. In May 2025, a stadium in Manzanillo was found defaced with the slogans "Homeland and Life" and "Down with Canel" on its walls.
The rise in these expressions coincides with an increase in social protests. The organization Cubalex documented 253 demonstrations in Cuba during June 2026 and recorded 319 repressive incidents, including 52 arbitrary detentions and at least 95 victims. In July, the organization also reported the arrest of several individuals following a protest in Loma del Chivo, Guantánamo.
Understanding the Power Outage Protests in Cuba
Why are the residents of Peñas Altas protesting?
Residents of Peñas Altas are protesting due to ongoing and prolonged power outages, which have disrupted daily life and exacerbated frustrations over basic service deficiencies.
What prompted the graffiti messages against Díaz-Canel?
The graffiti messages against Miguel Díaz-Canel appeared as a form of public dissent following a local protest over power outages, reflecting residents' dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the energy crisis.
How has the energy crisis impacted Cuba recently?
Cuba's energy crisis has led to widespread blackouts, with the electrical grid suffering multiple national collapses, leaving the country unable to meet its electricity demands and resulting in extensive power outages.