Protesters in Morón, Cuba, attacked and attempted to set fire to the local Communist Party headquarters during overnight unrest linked to widespread blackouts, according to videos obtained by Fox News Digital. The footage shows large crowds throwing burning objects at the building while chanting for freedom, followed by apparent gunfire and a man collapsing outside the scene.
State media outlet Vanguardia de Cuba denied that any protesters were injured by police gunfire and condemned the videos as “media manipulation” designed to sow fear. Authorities confirmed five arrests related to the incident. The state-run Invasor newspaper reported that the unrest began peacefully but escalated after protesters vandalized the party headquarters with stones and set furniture on fire in the street.
Unrest Highlights Cuba’s Energy Crisis
The protests in Morón accompany a growing wave of unrest across Cuba fueled by prolonged blackouts and shortages. The latest nationwide blackout resulted from a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country’s largest power station, disrupting electricity across much of the island.
Cuba’s energy woes have been compounded by reduced fuel shipments after U.S. sanctions tightened restrictions on oil imports, particularly from Venezuela, a key supplier. Cuban officials blame these measures for worsening economic conditions, while the country’s aging power infrastructure continues to cause frequent outages.
Government Response and Ongoing Economic Struggles
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel recently acknowledged ongoing talks with the U.S. government amid the crisis. He highlighted that the island has not received petroleum shipments in the past three months and described Cuba’s current energy supply as reliant on natural gas, solar power, and thermoelectric plants.
The state media also reported vandalism against several other government-run establishments, including a pharmacy and a market, during the unrest. Across Havana, smaller protests have included residents banging pots to express frustration over the extended blackouts. The events in Morón illustrate the increasing public anger toward Cuba’s persistent energy and economic challenges.
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