Cuban residents protest amid severe electricity shortages in Havana

Residents of several Havana districts – including El Cerro, El Vedado, La Lisa and Centro Habana – took to the streets after enduring power outages lasting from 40 up to 50 hours. Demonstrators staged cacerolazos, burned trash, and gathered outside the Communist Party office, chanting slogans and demanding water, food, electricity and greater freedoms. Police and State Security agents responded with a strong presence, filming participants and detaining protesters.

The protests reflect a deepening energy crisis. Cuba’s Electric Union projected that peak‑hour generation would meet only about 34‑37 % of demand, leaving a shortfall of roughly 66‑63 % due to maintenance on thermoelectric units and fuel shortages after Venezuelan oil supplies were halted. The country recorded an electricity deficit of 2,208 MW on 25 June, affecting nearly 70 % of the nation. Authorities note a record‑high number of demonstrations in May 2026 and at least 38 arrests in June, underscoring growing public frustration with the blackout‑related hardships.