Protest erupts in eastern Cuba amid blackouts, food shortages

Hundreds in Cuba’s second-largest city, Santiago, took to the streets late Sunday in a rare public protest, according to social media and official reports, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called for an “atmosphere of tranquility and peace.”
Protesters in Santiago chanted “power and food,” according to videos posted on social media, as blackouts across much of the island’s provinces extended for 18 hours or more a day.
Tensions have soared in recent weeks on the Communist-run Caribbean island as food, fuel and medicine shortages have also grown more acute.
Diaz-Canel confirmed the protest on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Several people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation of electrical service and food distribution,” Diaz-Canel said. “The disposition of the authorities of the Party, the State and the Government is to attend to the complaints of our people, listen, dialogue, explain the numerous efforts that are being carried out to improve the situation, always in an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.”