The regime is mobilizing all its security forces with the order of “zero impunity” for the demonstrations
14ymedio, Havana, March 15, 2026 — The regime has gone on high alert and increased its deployments following the intensification of protests in Cuba, especially the massive demonstration in Morón. Police are mobilizing operations throughout the country to prevent the demonstrations that have been taking place for more than a week.
This Sunday, Yoani Sánchez, director of 14ymedio, is surrounded by a State Security police operation that prevents her from leaving her home. In a video she recorded herself, an officer, dressed in civilian clothes and with his face completely covered, explains the prohibition to her without giving a concrete reason.
“Tell me right here in front of the camera,” the journalist snaps, to which the man replies, “Is it necessary?” She continues, “Yes, it is necessary, because you’re violating my rights. I’m a citizen who hasn’t committed any crimes, hasn’t been tried in court, doesn’t have a restraining order or house arrest, so why won’t you let me go out? Taking all tha into account, what’s the reason? Why can’t I leave?” The officer, nervous, responds, “All I can tell you is that you can’t leave.”
When Sánchez asks him if he might be a thug or a criminal, the subject affirms, and to the question who is sending him, he answers: “You know who it is.”
When questioned about his identity, the individual refuses to answer, and when Sánchez asks him if he might be a thug or a criminal, the subject affirms, and to question who is sending him, he answers: “You know who he is.”
President Díaz-Canel’s response to the protests has been to label them “vandalism” for which “there will be no impunity.” Today, the National Police clearly illustrate these intimidating words—they do have electricity, fuel, and resources, as their own publications show—with the arrogant display of their operations, which, without euphemism, aim to “maintain public order.”
In Villa Clara, Díaz-Canel’s home province, a “reinforcement group for surveillance and patrols” has been formed to “guarantee order.” The official publication shows that this reinforcement includes the feared ” black berets,” the Interior Ministry’s military units trained for “high-risk” situations, who have been at the forefront of violent repression during civil protests.
Videos circulating on social media show the deployment of police patrols in the streets of Havana and also report Black Berets in Old Havana.
Official institutions are echoing the attempts at intimidation and repeating the president’s threatening rhetoric. The state-run chain Tiendas Caribe (TRD) denounced the attack and vandalism of one of its stores’ windows during Friday’s protests: “Cuban society demands zero impunity for those who threaten public peace and collective property. A severe legal response is essential.”
Despite the deployment of security forces, new demonstrations took place yesterday, Saturday, for the ninth consecutive night.
Despite the deployment of security forces, new demonstrations took place on Saturday, for the ninth consecutive night. This newspaper reports loud pot-banging protests in the Nuevo Vedado neighborhood of Havana during another prolonged blackout. The sounds of similar protests reached the 14ymedio newsroom in Cerro, Playa, and, with greater intensity, in the Boyeros and Tulipán area. Finally, the authorities restored power, possibly fearing that the unrest would escalate, as is happening in the less privileged areas of the island.
In the provinces, where the energy situation is much worse – reaching only a couple of hours of electricity per day – strong protests were reported last night in neighborhoods of Santiago de Cuba and Holguín.
[See a collection of videos here #ProtestasEnCuba ]
The authorities acknowledge that there was an incident between the police and residents of the Micro 9 neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba, although they describe the information disseminated on social media as “manipulation.”
The official statement describes the protest as “a very small group of people” who “decided to gather to express their dissatisfaction with the problems related to the electricity service.” It adds, referring to the police response: “As is completely normal […] law enforcement authorities arrived at the scene, engaged in dialogue with the residents, and the situation was resolved.” However, it continues: “Some chose the path of disobedience, something that will not be tolerated by those responsible for guaranteeing public order and tranquility.”
The testimonies also relate that the protesters shouted “Down with the dictatorship!” and “Freedom!”, which the government describes as “dissatisfaction with the electricity service”
The denial refers to a version circulating on social media in which, according to testimonies received from residents involved in the protest, the authorities’ response included a large-scale operation with patrol cars, armored vehicles, plainclothes State Security agents, and officers in black berets with their dogs, who blocked access to the neighborhood. According to these accounts, there were arrests and physical assaults by the authorities, including an assault on a young minor who was beaten while defending her father, and an assault on a pregnant woman.
The testimonies also relate that the protesters shouted “Down with the dictatorship!” and “Freedom!”, which the government describes as “dissatisfaction with the electricity service.”
The official statement concludes with a moral lesson that emphasizes the regime’s stance on public discontent: “We once again denounce the fact that individuals opposed to the values and principles of the Revolution and Cuban society are exploiting incidents like these to sow confusion and hatred through lies and manipulation, in order to foment conflict and undermine the people’s trust in the highest authorities of the country and the Ministry of the Interior.” The statement does not explain what these “values and principles of the Revolution” consist of, nor why they should be shared by all of “Cuban society.”
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