Santiago, Cuba‘s second-largest city, witnessed an unusual scene on Sunday as hundreds of residents gathered for a public protest, venting their frustrations over frequent power failures and shortages of essential food items.
The island nation of Cuba is currently enduring its most severe economic crisis in three decades, marked by extensive power outages lasting upwards of 14 hours daily across many regions.
Videos on social media show people chanting “power and food”.
The president points to US sanctions as the cause, yet critics contend that government mismanagement is to blame for the situation.
Dating back to 1960, the US has enforced an economic embargo against Cuba, implementing stringent trade rules that govern the exchange of goods and services between the two countries.
Cuba’s economy, governed by communism on an island home to approximately 11 million people, has faced severe challenges in recent years.
In the month of February, the government took an unprecedented step by appealing to the UN’s food program for assistance, specifically aiming to address shortages of powdered milk for children under seven.
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Tensions have escalated in recent weeks due to power generators facing challenges in obtaining fuel for both household electricity and refrigeration, exacerbating the situation.
A 65-year-old in Santiago told AFP news agency electricity in the city was restored later on Sunday and “two truckloads of rice” were delivered.
Santiago is 800km (500 miles) east of the capital, Havana. The US embassy there said on X it was aware of reports of “peaceful protests” in Santiago, Bayamo and other parts of Cuba.
“We urge the Cuban government to respect the human rights of the protesters and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people,” it added.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel publicly acknowledged the protests on social media, expressing his government’s and authorities’ commitment to addressing the concerns of the people. He emphasized a willingness to listen, engage in dialogue, and provide explanations regarding the extensive efforts underway to enhance the situation.
Earlier this month, the government implemented a staggering price increase on fuel as a component of its economic revitalization strategy. Consequently, the available fuel now commands a price over five times higher than before.
Official estimates suggest that Cuba’s inflation rate has soared to 30%, although Reuters news agency reports that experts believe the actual figure could be even higher.