Cubans rally for 'power and food' in rare protests

The protests started in Santiago and represent an unusual display of public dissent in the communist country

(Image credit: Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)

published 19 March 2024

What happened

Cubans marched in protest of 18-hour rolling blackouts and food supply shortages, chanting "power and food" in an unusual display of public dissent in the communist country. Sunday's protests started in Santiago, the nation's second-largest city.

Who said what

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called for an "atmosphere of tranquillity and peace," promising to "attend to the complaints of our people." Cuba's foreign minister summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Havana on Monday to protest the embassy's "interventionist conduct and slanderous messages" on the protests. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called Cuba's accusations "absurd," saying the U.S. "is not behind these protests."

The commentary

Santiago's protest was the "largest demonstration" in Cuba since a 2021 "uprising" that was met with a "violent crackdown," the Miami Herald said. Havana's "rare admission" of this protest suggests it is trying to avoid another "international backlash."

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What next?

Cuba recently requested food aid from the United Nations for the first time ever as it struggles through a "near unprecedented economic crisis," Reuters said.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.