In March 2026, Cubans protested over blackouts and food shortages, and authorities responded with arrests, beatings, and criminal charges for public disorder.

Omissions

• The claim does not mention that at least one protest (March 14) involved protesters attacking a Communist Party office, which the government cited to justify the crackdown.
• Reports of beatings come from demonstrators and human rights groups; the Cuban government has not acknowledged police beatings.
• The MEP did not cite specific numbers: as of March 17, 2026, Cubalex documented at least 156 protests and 47 arrests across the country, indicating the response was targeted rather than mass detention.

Sources

• SecondaryDeutsche Welle (DW)"Long, daily blackouts ignited by a US oil... Police detained five people in the protests, state media reported." Published March 15, 2026, covering protests in March 2026 over blackouts, with police detentions confirmed.
• SecondaryReuters"Anti-government protesters attacked a Communist Party office in central Cuba early on Saturday, a state-run newspaper reported" — confirms protests over blackouts in mid-March 2026.
• SecondaryReuters"Cuban authorities say those jailed were found guilty of crimes including public disorder, resisting arrest, robbery and vandalism." The article also reports accounts of police beatings from demonstrators and human rights groups.
• SecondaryHavana Times"The organization Cubalex documented, as of March 17, 2026, at least 156 protests and 47 arrests so far this month." Confirms arrests in response to March 2026 protests.