After more than two months without access to drinking water, residents of the village of Ecoa 13 on the road to Camajuaní in Santa Clara took to the streets, blocking the avenue in protest against the negligence of the authorities and demanding the restoration of the service.
The protesters confirmed that they have been without water for over two months, prompting them to take to the streets and block traffic while chanting "we want water." Women and children placed several empty plastic containers in the middle of the street to obstruct vehicular traffic.
Following the protest, the regime sent three water trucks to calm the situation. Internet user Amelia Leon Pacheco, a resident of the area, affirmed that the demonstration occurred due to widespread discontent. "It's unsustainable to have a population without water for so many days. There’s no justification... it was resolved immediately, and the council delegate knew about it because I personally raised the issue. A timely intervention would have prevented this," she stated.
A witness confirmed to the independent outlet Diario de Cuba that "people have been carrying water along the road with those little buckets for weeks." According to a survey by the Observatory of Social Rights in Cuba last year, more than 60% of Cubans live without a stable supply of drinking water, and 80% suffer from power outages in their homes.
In this context, protests over water shortages and power cuts have become increasingly common. Last year, over a dozen Cuban women, many accompanied by their children, blocked the intersection of Monte and Agramonte streets in Old Havana to protest the prolonged water scarcity in that municipality.
The regime blames the water supply crisis on the poor condition of the pipes and the lack of maintenance, as the equipment used to pump water, at least in the capital, has not been serviced or replaced for over 20 years.
FAQs on Water Shortage Protests in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the recent water shortage protests in Cuba, particularly in Villa Clara.
Why did the residents of Ecoa 13 protest?
The residents of Ecoa 13 protested due to being without drinking water for more than two months, highlighting the negligence of the authorities in addressing the issue.
How did the authorities respond to the protest?
The authorities responded by sending three water trucks to the area to calm the situation and provide temporary relief to the residents.
What are the main reasons for the water supply crisis in Cuba?
The regime attributes the water supply crisis to the poor condition of the pipes and a lack of maintenance. In many areas, the equipment used to pump water has not been serviced or replaced for more than 20 years.