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“We are fed up with queues and shortages. That’s why I’m here, ”a middle-aged protester told The Associated Press. He refused to identify himself for fear of being arrested later.
Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades, accompanied by a resurgence of coronavirus cases, as it suffers the consequences of US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
A Biden administration official tweeted his support for Sunday’s protests.
“Peaceful protests are on the rise in #Cuba as the Cuban people exercise their right to peaceful assembly to express concern over increasing Covid cases / deaths and drug shortages. We applaud the many efforts of the Cuban people to mobilize donations to help neighbors in need, ”tweeted Julie Chung, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
The demonstration grew to a few thousand around Avenida Galeano and the demonstrators continued despite a few police charges and tear gas barrages. People standing on numerous balconies along the central thoroughfare of the Centro Habana district applauded the passing demonstrators. Others joined in the march.
Although many people tried to pull out their cell phones and broadcast the protest live, Cuban authorities shut down internet service throughout the afternoon.
About 2.5 hours after the start of the march, some protesters tore up cobblestones and threw them at the police, at which point the officers started arresting people and the protesters dispersed.
A group of government supporters also arrived in the area shouting slogans in support of the late President Fidel Castro and the revolution. Some of them assaulted an AP cameraman and photographer.
Demonstrations also took place elsewhere on the island, including in the small town of San Antonio de los Banos, where people protested against the power outages and were visited by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. He entered a few houses, where he answered questions from residents.
Subsequently, however, he accused Cuba of causing trouble.
“As if pandemic outbreaks had not existed everywhere in the world, the Cuban-American mafia, paying very well on social networks to influencers and Youtubers, created a whole campaign … and called for demonstrations in the whole country, “he added. Canel told reporters.
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