Pot-Banging in Miramar: Havana Protests Massive Blackouts

Havana experienced its fourth consecutive night of tensions and protests this Tuesday. On this occasion, the echoes of banging pots, known as cacerolazos, were heard loudly in the Miramar neighborhood, a traditionally quieter area of the Cuban capital. Popular discontent continues to escalate as the national electric system fails to stabilize service.

The Roar of Pots in Miramar

From balconies and porches, Miramar residents expressed their frustration over power outages that exceed 15 hours a day in several sectors. Videos shared on social media captured not only the metallic sound of the pots but also shouts of “liberty” and slogans against the current government’s management amidst almost total darkness.

This protest in Miramar is significant, as it adds to incidents reported over the weekend in other neighborhoods such as San Miguel del Padrón and Centro Habana, as well as the recent student demonstration at the CUJAE.

An Energy Crisis Without Respite

The electric generation deficit in Cuba has reached critical levels in the first half of March 2026. According to reports from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the shutdown of key units at the Antonio Guiteras and Felton thermal power plants has left a gap of over 2,300 MW, simultaneously affecting more than 70% of the national territory.

The lack of fuel, exacerbated by new financial restrictions and delays in international supplies, keeps the island in a cycle of instability that seems to have no short-term end.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are there protests in Miramar now?

Protests in Miramar are due to prolonged blackouts that have left residents without electricity for 12 to 15 hours a day, alongside general shortages of food and water.

2. What is a “cacerolazo”?

It is a form of peaceful popular protest in Latin America where citizens bang pots, pans, and other metallic utensils to draw attention to social or political demands.

3. What is the status of the National Electric System (SEN)?

The SEN is in a state of partial collapse due to a lack of maintenance at thermal power plants and the severe shortage of fuel for distributed generation engines.

4. How has the government responded to these protests?

So far, the official response has been the deployment of security forces in strategic points and calls for “understanding” through state-run media, without offering an immediate technical solution to the energy problem.

Sources: CNN, CiberCuba, elTOQUE.