Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responds to protests, blames US for unrest
In an unprecedented move, hundreds of Cubans took to the streets on Sunday to denounce the deteriorating conditions on the island, prompting Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to address the situation on Monday.
Díaz-Canel stated that his government was willing to “dialogue” with the protesters and address their complaints. He criticized the United States for inciting unrest, blaming “terrorists” in Miami’s Cuban exile community for instigating the protests through the internet and for imposing sanctions on Cuba’s economy.
The protests were sparked by power outages lasting for hours, food shortages, and a growing sense of discontent among the Cuban population. Many protesters demanded political freedoms and chanted “Patria y Vida,” a popular anti-government anthem.
The Cuban economy has been hit hard by rising inflation, with the Cuban peso massively devalued and state salaries worth less than the cost of basic necessities. The government’s decision to increase fuel prices by over 500% in March further exacerbated the economic crisis.
U.S. diplomats have urged the Cuban government to respect the human rights of the protesters and address their legitimate needs. The United States Embassy in Havana also called on the Cuban government to listen to the grievances of the people.
Despite the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, reports of a heavy police presence and arrests of protesters have emerged. Cuba’s government, known for suppressing dissent, did not disclose the number of arrests made during the protests.
Following widespread protests in July 2021, where over 1,000 Cubans were tried and convicted for rebelling against the government, human rights groups fear a similar crackdown on dissenting voices.
As the situation in Cuba remains tense, both the government and the protesters are at a critical juncture, with the international community closely monitoring the developments on the island.