14ymedio, Havana, May 18 , 2024 — The general director of Cuba’s Electric Union, Alfredo López, told the official State newspaper Granma this Friday afternoon that he had a plan to “attenuate the annoying blackouts.” The strategy, which includes a partial increase in generation capacity and reconnecting several thermoelectric units, aims to have an anesthetic effect after the outbreak of protests over the energy situation on Thursday night in Baracoa.
The terrible internet connection – already burdened by blackouts and lowered to a minimum when there are riots – prevented the people of Baracoa from publishing more information about what was happening on their social networks. Poor connectivity also prevented a larger number of protesters from receiving a summons. However, several recordings of the demonstrations managed to reach the internet.
The protest immediately mobilized local authorities and the official Guantánamo press, which have begun a campaign to “unite” the people. “As Fidel taught us. The leaders together with the people, in the most difficult moments,” Lorian Milhet Fuentes, leader of the Communist Party (PCC) of Baracoa, published on his Facebook profile this Friday, attaching to his message a photo where officials appear supposedly listening to a resident who complains in the middle of a blackout.
1/ #AlertaCubalex
Recibimos imágenes de una #protesta este 16 de mayo en el barrio Van Van, en la localidad de Cabacú, municipio de Baracoa, aproximadamente entre las 10 y las 11 de la noche, según informó una fuente local a @CubalexDDHH. pic.twitter.com/3BnkV60rCr— Cubalex (@CubalexDDHH) May 17, 2024
On the same social network, other pro-government profiles released several videos where some people appear calling on the people not to protest. “I think we should unite, but not in this way, unite to, together