The evening of May 21 witnessed fresh protests in eastern Cuba, driven by prolonged power outages and worsening food shortages. Residents of the Micro 9 neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba took to the streets during a blackout, demanding change in the country, according to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
This unrest followed a televised Round Table discussion where the regime attempted to justify the energy crisis. However, thousands of people were unable to witness these explanations as they had been without electricity for over 24 hours.
Shouts of "electricity" and "food" captured in videos highlight the desperation endured by the Cuban populace. The calls for government action echoed through the darkness, reflecting the mounting frustration of a citizenry suffocated by economic turmoil and political repression.
Protests Spread Beyond Santiago de Cuba
The demonstrations also reached Bayamo in Granma province, as shared by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia on social media. In the Jabaquito neighborhood, residents blocked a bridge in protest, prompting a police response. Gatherings were also reported in the "20 de Siboney" area of Bayamo.
Government Response and Internet Blackout
In response to these protests, the regime resorted to its usual tactics of cutting internet access to prevent the spread of the demonstrations. They militarized the trouble spots and deployed their "cyber army" on social media, sharing images depicting supposed normalcy in Bayamo.
Cubans are well aware of the government's attempts to silence public dissent. Despite the repression, people took to the streets to voice their grievances. These spontaneous protests, driven by unmet basic needs, underscore the escalating social and economic collapse facing the island.
Eastern Cuba's Struggle Intensifies
The eastern regions, historically more impoverished, are suffering severely from shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, along with increasingly prolonged power cuts. As of now, the government has not issued any official statements regarding the events in Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo.
Understanding the Unrest in Eastern Cuba
What triggered the protests in eastern Cuba?
The protests were sparked by prolonged power outages and severe food shortages, which have been exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis in the country.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
The government responded by cutting internet access to stop the spread of protests and by deploying police to militarize areas of unrest. Additionally, they used social media to portray a facade of normalcy.
Why are the eastern regions of Cuba particularly affected?
Eastern Cuba has historically been more impoverished, making it particularly vulnerable to the current shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, as well as the frequent power cuts.