In the middle of the night on Tuesday, marked by intense blackouts in Cienfuegos, dozens of residents took to the streets in protest, banging pots and chanting for "freedom." Videos shared on social media show a crowd of Cienfuegos residents demonstrating against the government and demanding the restoration of electricity.
Shouts of "freedom" and "turn the power back on" echoed through the protest, while others improvised a conga with the sounds of pots and chants of "oe, police pi...".
"Due to the high levels of disruptions caused by a deficit in generation capacity within the National Electric System (SEN), and considering we have a 60 MW deficit in the province with an expected increase in the coming hours, it is necessary to disrupt the service for approximately 11 hours from the moment the electricity is withdrawn," the Cienfuegos Electric Company stated on social media.
This Tuesday, the Electric Union (UNE) of Cuba announced a record-breaking disruption in electricity supply, reaching 1,440 MW during peak hours. The day before, according to the state socialist company's information, the disruption reached 1,356 MW, exceeding its initial forecast by 316 MW.
The National Electric System (SEN) has been unable to meet the electrical demand throughout the day for weeks, resulting in prolonged and frequent blackouts nationwide, with some regions more affected than others.
With record temperatures for this time of year and official forecasts indicating the situation will remain "complex" throughout June due to numerous thermoelectric units being out of service or undergoing planned maintenance, Cubans are increasingly expressing their frustration, both online and in public.
"Close all educational and work centers because no one can function without rest; it's impossible. They are asking too much from this people, and this pressure cooker is about to explode because we can't take it anymore. They have left us with nothing, and all they know how to do is instill fear, and we should fear everything we're going through. I'm a woman, and I'd rather die fighting for a better life than live in this hell that seems like a concentration camp. Patria y Vida," expressed a Cuban woman in the comments on the Cienfuegos Electric Company post.
Like her, nearly three hundred Cubans left comments expressing their outrage and exhaustion over a situation the Cuban regime has been promising to solve for years, yet it has become increasingly evident that the SEN is collapsing, and the quality of life is deteriorating for millions of Cubans enduring up to 18-hour blackouts daily.
Understanding the Protests and Blackouts in Cienfuegos
The recent protests in Cienfuegos have raised many questions about the state of the National Electric System and the ongoing blackouts. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide a clearer picture of the situation.
Why are there frequent blackouts in Cienfuegos?
The frequent blackouts in Cienfuegos are due to a significant deficit in generation capacity within the National Electric System (SEN), exacerbated by numerous thermoelectric units being out of service or undergoing maintenance.
What actions are residents of Cienfuegos taking in response to the blackouts?
Residents of Cienfuegos have taken to the streets in protest, banging pots and chanting for "freedom," demanding the restoration of electricity and expressing their frustration with the government's handling of the situation.
What has been the government's response to the blackouts?
The government, through the Electric Union (UNE) and the Cienfuegos Electric Company, has acknowledged the disruptions and cited high levels of generation capacity deficit as the primary cause, but promises of solutions have thus far been unfulfilled.