In a dramatic response to extended power outages, students from the Medical Sciences University of Guantánamo and the University of Cienfuegos staged peaceful protests on Tuesday night. These demonstrations highlighted the harsh living conditions faced by the students, who reported being threatened by university officials and the regime's repressive forces.
Images circulating on social media from Guantánamo depict students protesting in complete darkness, their voices resonating amidst the faint glow of mobile phones and flashlights. A poignant post from the Medical Sciences University of Guantánamo anonymously shared, "This is what our students have for breakfast: poorly made bread, an unidentifiable liquid. Is this how they expect our future doctors to study?"
The scene in Cienfuegos mirrored this unrest. Following the "locker check," university officials patrolled the dorms, inquiring if students had any comments, a move perceived as intimidation according to digital group testimonies. Camila Hernández took to Facebook, expressing, "The school is falling apart, we go days without water, the food is unpalatable, and the drinking water is muddy. Yet, no one comes, no one speaks up. They only appear in droves when we demand what is rightfully ours, when we raise our voices to show we won't be silenced."
Hernández further revealed, "They threatened to expel us from the scholarship. They try to instill fear, a tactic used since 1959 against anyone striving for a future in this country. If this isn't a dictatorship, then what is it?"
Students describe the university facilities as severely deteriorated: lacking potable water, ventilation, and serving what they refer to as "unwatchable" food. These protests come at a time when President Miguel Díaz-Canel has renewed his critical stance against demonstrators, branding them as "antisocial" and "criminals." In the 30th episode of his podcast, From the Presidency, he justified his position by recalling the 1994 Maleconazo, asserting that external manipulation fuels these protests and that the protesters are "far from Martí's ideology."
The leader's statements starkly contrast with the mounting public discontent over the collapse of the national electric system, a major trigger of the recent protests in Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, Guantánamo, and Cienfuegos. Meanwhile, the students, aspiring healthcare professionals, are demanding basic conditions for studying and living amid one of Cuba's most severe crises.
Understanding the Student Protests in Cuba
What triggered the student protests in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos?
The protests were sparked by extended power outages and poor living conditions, prompting students to demand better facilities and resources.
How did the authorities respond to the student demonstrations?
University officials and regime forces allegedly threatened students and attempted to intimidate them to suppress their demands for improved conditions.
What is the current state of university infrastructure according to the students?
Students report deplorable conditions, including lack of clean water, inadequate ventilation, and inedible food, all contributing to their grievances.