During the action that followed the rally, protest participants smashed the office, throwing stones at it. Inside the building, furniture was burned after being dragged outside. Videos capturing these events show protesters breaking windows and chanting "Freedom!".
According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, five people suspected of vandalism were arrested as a result of the unrest.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters' demands on his social media page X, noting that their anger, caused by blackouts, is quite understandable. However, he emphasized that violence and vandalism will not be tolerated, as they threaten the safety of citizens.
Díaz-Canel also accused the U.S. of exacerbating the energy crisis, claiming that the oil blockade imposed by Washington has significantly intensified in recent months and that, as a result of sanctions, fuel has not reached Cuba for three months.
The president reported that the island is negotiating with the U.S. government to find ways to resolve existing disagreements.
Additionally, he pointed to the ongoing threats from the U.S. towards Cuba, including intentions to overthrow the constitutional order. According to him, America uses economic sanctions as a means of pressure on the Cuban people.
In response to these statements, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized as fake the information from The New York Times regarding Washington's intentions to replace the Cuban president.
At a press conference in the White House, former President Donald Trump also shared his thoughts on Cuba, stating that it would be "an honor to take Cuba," hinting at the possibility of intervention.
