In the wake of a nationwide blackout caused by the collapse of the national electric grid, Cuban protesters in Havana managed to force a vehicle carrying regime enforcers to back away during demonstrations. Despite fears of repression, arrest, and silencing by the authorities, many neighborhoods in the capital witnessed public outcries, ranging from banging pots and pans to open expressions of outrage on the streets.
Though residents are often afraid to speak out due to the risk of being detained for posting on social media, various platforms have captured spontaneous protests across different regions of Cuba. Under the cover of night, which provides anonymity, Cubans from municipalities such as Cerro, Habana del Este, and Marianao banged their empty pots on their doorsteps and sidewalks.
Over the weekend, videos surfaced online showing protesters blocking streets and demanding the restoration of electricity. Police forces were deployed in some cases, attempting to suppress the demonstrations. One significant protest occurred in an unspecified Havana neighborhood on Saturday, where chants of "Down with the Dictatorship" and "Freedom" echoed through the streets.
Courage in the Face of Oppression
A video shared on social media captured a tense moment when a vehicle, allegedly carrying Cuban regime enforcers, halted as protesters' voices rang out from the darkness. Surrounded by the defiant cries of the community, the vehicle occupants opted to reverse and retreat through a side street.
On Sunday, the head of the government, Miguel Díaz-Canel, disparaged the protestors, labeling them "drunkards and indecent" during a session of the National Defense Council (CDN). Dressed in military green, he issued stern threats to crack down with the full might of the totalitarian state on those who protest against the blackouts and the failure of the electric grid.
In response to Díaz-Canel's threats, Cuban citizens took to social media with defiant comments: "He's wearing his killing suit" and "He’s put on the clown costume, but his face betrays him. That’s the face of an inadequate leader overwhelmed by his role," they declared.