The Cuban authorities dispatched a water truck, heavily guarded by police, to a neighborhood in Old Havana where residents had taken to the streets in protest after more than 10 days without access to water.
Several hours after the protest, the Municipal Administration Council announced that the issue had been addressed with the water truck sent to the area. "The population is being attended to due to the water deficit," read the brief statement shared on their Facebook page, accompanied by photos of people waiting in line to fill their containers.
Protest for Water Access
The protest occurred at 9:00 PM on Monday at the intersection of Egido and Acosta streets, where residents blocked traffic with stones and buckets to voice their frustrations over the water shortage and the lack of government response.
Although the demonstration remained peaceful, the police closely monitored the situation throughout, as evidenced by a video released by the independent media outlet CubaNet. Witnesses reported that the protesters only returned to their homes once the water truck arrived.
The water supply crisis in this area is not new; it is an ongoing issue that residents of this part of the city have been grappling with for years. Last year, residents of Egido Street similarly blocked traffic in another protest. Just like now, the government quelled the unrest by sending a water truck to calm the situation, while the underlying problems remained unsolved.
FAQs on Water Crisis in Old Havana
The ongoing water crisis in Old Havana has led to multiple protests and government interventions. Here are some frequently asked questions about the situation.
What caused the recent protest in Old Havana?
Residents protested after more than 10 days without water, expressing their frustration over the ongoing water shortage and the government's lack of response.
How did the government respond to the protest?
The government sent a water truck, heavily guarded by police, to the area to address the immediate water needs of the residents.
Is the water supply issue in Old Havana a new problem?
No, the water supply crisis in Old Havana has been an ongoing issue for years, with similar protests occurring in the past.