Pot-banging protests erupted in Fraternidad, Arroyo Naranjo neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, at approximately 3:16-3:46 AM UTC on February 6, 2026, with residents taking to the streets, according to SanMemero's X post during the 30-minute reporting window. This follows Cuba's suspension of all civilian gasoline sales earlier in the hour to prevent unrest. SanMemero reported on X that the protests are happening now, with pot-banging sounds heard and Cubans presumably starting to take to the streets, under the hashtag #LongLiveFreeCuba. This development aligns with warnings of potential escalation noted in the prior reporting window from 2:16-3:16 AM UTC. The protests come amid Cuba's fuel crisis, which prompted the provincial-level suspension of gasoline sales to civilians between 2:16 AM and 3:16 AM UTC, including license plate checks on streets, as reported by journalist Agus Antonetti on X. MagJorgeCastro noted criticism of the regime's handling of US aid to eastern Cuba victims during that period. Earlier measures include the University of Havana's switch to hybrid learning announced in the 1:16-2:16 AM window, as confirmed by MagJorgeCastro and CiberCuba, and Las Tunas authorities' suspension of bus departures to major cities in the prior hour, compounding the nationwide public transportation halt at 7:00 PM UTC on February 5.
