Cuba Faces Political Repression Amidst Protests and New Prisoners

Cuba is currently experiencing a surge in political repression, highlighted by recent protests and an increase in political prisoners. Protests have erupted in various neighborhoods, including Marianao, Centro Habana, and Baracoa, primarily fueled by prolonged blackouts and dire living conditions.

Residents have taken to the streets banging pots and shouting slogans demanding electricity and freedom, as seen in protests on December 8 and 9, 2025, where demonstrators called for an end to the government's failures in managing power supply and basic needs (Havana Times).

In Baracoa, authorities have threatened to detain Oscarleydis Blanco Lobaina, a 36-year-old activist involved in the protests, illustrating the state's continued crackdown on dissent. His mother reported that police sought to arrest him after he participated in protests against a 24-hour blackout, emphasizing the government's aggressive tactics to silence opposition (CubaNet).

The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts noted a rise in protests, linking them to widespread social discontent over electricity shortages, food supply issues, and civil liberties (Havana Times). In addition, the government faces criticism for its handling of a nationwide arbovirus epidemic and the economic crisis that has left many Cubans struggling for basic necessities (Havana Times).