Havana Residents Protest Extended Power Outages
After enduring over 30 hours without power, residents in multiple neighborhoods across Havana took to the streets on Tuesday night, marking the second consecutive day of protests against the Castro regime.
For two days now, people living in Havana have faced yet another extensive power outage. Many are aware that the struggling communist government has been unable to maintain a stable electricity supply, fueling their frustration. Reports indicate that residents in areas like Bahia, Marianao, Diez de Octubre, Nuevo Vedado, and Lullano took to creative means of protest, burning pots, lighting campfires, and setting fire to garbage that the government failed to manage.
Some Cuban dissidents, able to access the internet, shared videos of the protests on social media platforms. Footage showcased cacerolazo protests, particularly in Diez de Octubre, which has seen increased peaceful demonstrations against the regime recently. One notable clip featured activist Eliecer Avila capturing a burning pile by the roadside amidst the protests.
On Tuesday, activist Orlando Ramirez described the situation in his Santo Suarez neighborhood as “chaotic” in a conversation with Marti Noticias. He recounted that power was restored for just 14 minutes after a blackout on Monday before going out again, and the area also lacks running water because of inadequate pipeline pressure. Moreover, the inability to pump water due to the electricity issue complicates matters further. Although fuel-powered generators are an option, they’re often not effective for older appliances found in Cuban households, and the rising costs of fuel make them a financial burden.
These protests are part of a swelling wave of resistance against the Castro government seen throughout early 2026. While there were no immediate reports of governmental crackdowns during Tuesday’s protests, past demonstrations have met with severe repression. A notable case involved the arrest of a 16-year-old boy involved in protests against the regime, with officials dismissing concerns about his health conditions.
Cuban journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro reported that, the following morning, derogatory messages directed at “president” Miguel Díaz-Canel appeared in Arroyo Naranjo. The phrase “Patria y Vida” (“Homeland and Life”) has been adopted as a rallying cry by those opposing the current government.
The ongoing, frustratingly long power outages are being attributed to the extensive mismanagement of the nation’s infrastructure by the communist government over the last 67 years. The state of the power grid, it seems, is barely functional due to a lack of maintenance.
Amid these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated his intention to no longer tolerate the repressive actions from the Cuban government, promising to put additional pressure on the regime. Recently imposed sanctions on GAESA, a military-controlled entity that manages a significant portion of Cuba’s economy, have prompted international businesses to reconsider their presence in the country. Back in February, Trump hinted at a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, and soon thereafter, it emerged that discussions between U.S. and Cuban officials had occurred.
On Tuesday, Trump remarked that Cuba is “not doing well,” describing it as a failed state. He indicated that appropriate discussions regarding Cuba would happen “at the right time.” In a related post on Truth Social shortly before departing for China, Trump commented that no Republican lawmakers have ever tackled issues concerning Cuba and reiterated his view of Cuba as a country “going in one direction: down.”
“Cuba needs help,” Trump declared, “and we’ll talk about it soon! But first, I’m off to China!”
