In Encrucijada, located in Villa Clara, a significant public protest erupted following the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) just before Hurricane Rafael's arrival. The local residents, who had endured over 48 hours without power, gathered in front of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power on the night of November 7th, voicing their outrage through a loud cacerolazo.
Residents Demand Immediate Restoration of Electricity
The protest saw dozens of individuals demanding the return of electricity, amid growing frustration over frequent blackouts and the sluggish response from local authorities. Videos circulated on social media depicted the demonstrators banging pots and shouting slogans like, "They won't silence us!" The citizens' demands for a swift solution compelled municipal leaders to address the crowd.
Several hours after the demonstration, the Electric Company of Villa Clara announced the restoration of service in multiple circuits within the municipality, including areas such as Jutiero, Vizcaya, and Comunidad la Sierra.
Broader Unrest and Government Response
The group Justicia 11J reported on social media that arrests occurred in the nearby town of Manicaragua, also in Villa Clara, following similar disturbances. These protests have involved clashes with authorities, street blockades, and damage to state property.
Amid this turmoil, the Cuban government declared a total shutdown of the National Electro-Energetic System due to the hurricane's impact, marking the second complete outage in less than a month.
Government Downplays Crisis
On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba has not collapsed and claimed that reports on social media regarding the protests, hurricane devastation, and public hardships are part of a campaign fueled by "haters" to undermine the state. Meanwhile, Minister Vicente de la O' Levy announced that the SEN has been re-synchronized, and Cuban linemen are working in western provinces to repair circuits, erect poles, and restore power lines. Havana has begun receiving electricity, with an output of 81 MW available.