Nine citizens face prison sentences for demonstrating against power outages and shortages.
14ymedio, Madrid, November 1, 2026 – The municipal Prosecutor’s Office in Bayamo, Granma, has requested sentences of up to five years in prison for nine citizens charged for their participation in the May 23, 2025, protest in that city, according to the provisional conclusions obtained by Martí Noticias. The document concludes the investigative phase and paves the way for a request for an oral trial, with the acts classified as contempt, public disorder, incitement to commit a crime, and resistance.
According to the prosecution’s account, the events took place near the intersection of Vicente Quesada Avenue and 22nd Street, close to a city roundabout. The report describes a gathering of about 120 people, some with their faces covered to avoid being identified, who used cooking pots and other metal objects to make noise and express their discontent.
Among the slogans heard was “We want food, electricity, and water!” The prosecution maintains that “offensive” remarks were also shouted against President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other “historic leaders,” Martí Noticias reports.
One of the main grounds for the prosecution’s request is the alleged altercation with officers from the Ministry of the Interior who arrived at the scene. According to the text, after authorities attempted to engage in dialogue and address the residents’ concerns, the protesters “disrespected them and threw bottles and stones but didn’t injure them,” which, the judicial document adds, “led the police forces to arrest those primarily responsible for the events.”
“They are asking for years in prison because they demanded basic rights from the Government, such as access to water, food, and electricity”
The harshest sentence, five years in prison for public disorder, has been requested for Pedro Luis Zamora Isac. For Alexander Guzmán Silva, the Prosecutor’s Office is seeking four years for contempt, public disorder, and incitement to commit a crime; and for Ever Ernesto Pérez Aliaga, three years for contempt and public disorder.
Also charged is Arael Rodríguez Escalante, who is accused of inciting hostility toward the police through shouting and hostile remarks. The others, Alejandro Vargas Ortiz, Luis Manuel Zamora Guevara, Rosa María Socarrás Moralez, Aleyda Valera Álvarez, and Katia Sucel Estrada Valera, are accused of offenses including resistance and incitement to commit a crime.
The families reject the charges. Ernesto Pérez Aliaga, Ever’s father, categorically denied the charge of contempt in statements to Martí Noticias after learning of the prosecution’s request. “He did not disrespect them,” he said. “In an elegant, peaceful, and calm manner, he did not disrespect anyone.” Meanwhile, Rosa Escalante, Arael’s mother, stated: “They are asking for years in prison because they demanded basic rights from the Government, such as access to water, food, and electricity.”
The protests took place on May 23, 2025. A resident warned Martí Noticias at the time: “This is going to explode again at any moment, because we still have no electricity.”
This is not the first case of its kind in Bayamo. Another 15 Cubans were tried in September 2025 for demonstrating on March 17, 2024, against prolonged power outages and deteriorating living conditions. In that case, the defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to six years.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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