In recent times, Cubans have faced severe power outages that have reached unprecedented levels, sparking widespread anger and protests among the populace. This frustration was evident on Tuesday when residents of Báguanos, a town in the Holguín province, took to the streets demanding the restoration of electricity.
Images and accounts shared on social media highlighted the demonstration by locals who were fed up with enduring more than 12 hours of daily power cuts. The provincial Electric Company even acknowledged these extended interruptions on Facebook. Chanting "We want power!", dozens of Báguanos residents gathered at La Madre Park, calling for municipal authorities to address their grievances and commit to finding a solution.
Social Media as a Platform for Protest
Posts in the Facebook group 'Revolico Báguano' documented the protests, with one user noting the disparity in energy supply between Havana and the rest of the country. She praised Havana residents for taking to the streets, suggesting it influenced the situation there positively. "It’s clear that hitting the streets is necessary to get the power back," she emphasized.
Another user criticized the group administrators for deleting posts that shared protest testimonies from Báguanos and urged government leaders, who had shown solidarity with Palestinians in Havana, to support their own people. "They should ask for help for us too, as we are suffering from illnesses and, for many, hunger. Especially with this power issue," she pointed out.
Calls for Broader Action
The unrest in Báguanos spurred discussions in another Facebook group, 'Revolico Antilla', where people were encouraged to follow the Báguanos example. An anonymous post urged action, stating, "They cut power here because Báguanos protested. So, what are we waiting for? We are the province's laughingstock. Antilla, it's time to wake up. Most of us lack gas and electricity to cook or preserve food. How much longer will we stay silent? It’s time to rise!"
Báguanos residents demanded an end to the blackouts and accountability from their elected officials. With the ongoing meetings for the National Assembly of People’s Power (ANPP), the question remains: will deputies Roberto Alejandro García Reyes and Leticia Toledo Hernández, elected by Báguanos, respond to their constituents' anger and provide answers?