Cuba faces unrest and vandalism amid severe power outages

Widespread power outages and utility shortages in Cuba have triggered civil unrest and protests across several regions. In Jaimanitas, Havana, residents held 'cacerolazos' to protest the lack of electricity and water, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and regime supporters.

In the municipality of La Lisa, a bust of national hero José Martí was vandalized and decapitated in the Valle Grande community during a blackout lasting over 20 hours. Police are investigating the incident, noting that such acts against national heroes carry political connotations under the country's penal code. Other monuments in Guanabacoa were also targeted with paint.

In Isla de la Juventud, tensions have escalated between the public and utility workers. The local newspaper, Victoria, reported that electric company employees faced verbal abuse while attempting to address breakdowns. The Electric Company attributed the systemic failures to shortages of fuel, transformers, and conductors, while also citing internal shortcomings and U.S. government measures.