Protests erupt in Havana as Cubans demand electricity amid prolonged outages

Havana residents took to the streets Tuesday evening, banging pots and shouting for electricity as a nationwide power outage left millions in the dark. The protests, which occurred in neighborhoods like Jaimanitas and Santa Fe, highlighted the deepening energy crisis gripping Cuba.

While the island's grid operator, UNE, announced the reconnection of most of the country by Tuesday night, many Cubans remained without power. The government cited a lack of fuel as the primary reason, a situation exacerbated by six months of U.S. sanctions that have cut off fuel supplies and crippled the island's economy. Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city, remained disconnected.

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I don't see a quick fix to this problem. Our power plants are obsolete and there's no fuel.

Residents, accustomed to blackouts lasting over 30 hours, expressed resignation and frustration. "I don't see a quick fix to this problem," said local resident Amauri Gonzalez. "Our power plants are obsolete and there's no fuel." Some protests were short-lived, with power returning to certain areas shortly after residents began demonstrating.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, blamed Cuba's government for the shortfalls. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz urged Cuba to "change your ways and turn the lights back on for your people." However, the vast majority of nations speaking at the UN General Assembly called on Washington to end its blockade and sanctions, which they argue violate international law and human rights.

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Change your ways and turn the lights back on for your people.