Enough is enough, say Cubans, as they hit the streets in a rare show of force

Anti-government demonstrations that broke out in Cuba on Sunday have been blamed by state media on “neo-liberal” opponents.

Images on social media showed crowds in Havana, the provincial town of San Antonio de los Banos and elsewhere. Large mobilisations against the regime are rare on the tightly controlled island, which strictly curbs dissent.

Despite ongoing persecution on the island, Cubans are bravely joining to demand nothing more than the ability to live safely and speak their minds, freely, openly and without fear.

—  Democrat senator Bob Menendez

“Those who fan these demonstrations don’t want the welfare of the people, but rather the privatisation of health and education, and neo-liberalism,” state-controlled Prensa Latina cited President Miguel Díaz-Canel as saying.

Cuba has faced growing hunger since its economy was hit by a slump in tourist revenue because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The government last year introduced emergency economic reforms in response to the downturn, including eliminating some subsidies, adjusting prices and wages, and ending the dual currency system.

“In a historic day of protests, the world is bearing witness as thousands of Cubans take to the streets to call for an end to dictatorship in their country,” said Democrat senator Bob Menendez, the chairperson of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Despite ongoing persecution on the island, Cubans are bravely joining to demand nothing more than the ability to live safely and speak their minds, freely, openly and without fear.”

— Bloomberg News. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com