Protests in Cuba: Regime cuts communications and disables internet signal

Thousands of Cubans took to the streets this Sunday to protest The Dictatorship of Miguel Díaz-Canel They are suffering amid energy crisis and scarcity. As usual, The regime cut communication and internet signals To prevent the world from noticing what was happening.

Residents of Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo began to come out peacefully this Sunday, demanding answers to the dire crisis they face, and the first videos began circulating on social networks in the afternoon.

But minutes pass Dozens of users started reporting that connections were very slow and in some cases dropped. Even those not in Cuba commented on their inability to contact people on the island.

“We hardly have internetIf they cut off all access, I can only say that if Santiago de Cuba is the 'cradle' of the revolution, according to the official propaganda… perhaps it will be its grave. Cradle and grave,” wrote the disgruntled journalist Yoani Sánchez.

According to the media CybercubaResidents of some parts of the city do not have access to the Internet, and some users face difficulties connecting through the Nauta service and using some types of VPNs.

Connectivity issues were reported in other cities such as Sancti Spiritus, Holguin and Pinar del Rio.

This Sunday's mobilization began in the central Carretera del Morro and Veguita de Galo 9th street. After a while, security forces were brought in to control the protests.

A video also shows the moment Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, who was recently appointed secretary of the Cuban Communist Party in the province, tries to converse with protesters from the roof of a house. But people did not allow him to speak.

When he arrived at the scene, protesters shouted at him, according to local media. “We don't want teeth.” That means they don't want any more excuses from the Castro dictatorship to justify the drama the people are experiencing.

For its part, Portal 14ymedio Reports suggest that some major parks in Holguin have been militarized by regime officials.

“There are dozens of motorcycle officers, plainclothes agents and patrolmen, except for cars loaded with red berets,” a city resident told the media. And he added: “From the Santiago demonstrations in Holguin they expect something or fearful consequences.”

Local journalist Yosmani Mayeda reported what was happening in Santiago de Cuba and shared a video in which dozens of people could be seen in the middle of a public street shouting “walk and eat”. Similarly, in another video, people are heard chanting “Patria y Vida,” which has become an anthem of sorts during the historic protests of 2021.

In Byamo, for its part, Protesters rallied chanting “Down with Diaz Canal” and “United people will never be defeated”..

Cuban officials said on Saturday that the country had been “totally affected” by the blackouts, including in the capital, which had not reached a generalized blackout. Since early March, the island has faced a new series of outages due to maintenance work on the island's most important Antonio Güiteras thermoelectric plant.

The problem intensified this weekend Due to fuel shortage in the country. Energy is necessary to supply electricity to other thermoelectric plants in operation.