The town of Santa Rita in Jiguaní, Granma, witnessed a public demonstration this Wednesday amid a growing wave of protests across Cuba. Citizens are voicing their frustration over power outages, food shortages, and lack of water. Cuban activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia shared several videos on social media showing Santa Rita residents taking to the streets, chanting slogans against the economic and social conditions imposed by the Cuban regime.
"They cut off the internet, but people are still out on the streets!" Salcedo Verdecia posted, highlighting that despite censorship and internet blackouts, the community chose to protest strongly against the prolonged blackouts and increasingly dire living conditions.
Government's Ineffective Response
Officials from Santa Rita addressed the people, explaining that although they have water trucks to supply the area, they are unable to operate them due to a lack of fuel. The state has only provided fuel for essential areas like hospitals, leaving other sectors without resources.
Growing Unrest Across the Island
The protest in Granma adds to a series of demonstrations happening this week in various parts of the country, including universities in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos. Students there are expressing their frustration over power cuts and the lack of basic resources for studying and sustenance.
Protests have also been reported in Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, and other eastern Cuban regions, where public dissatisfaction is increasing as the national electro-energy system collapses and shortages worsen.
Regime's Reaction: Criminalization and Propaganda
Rather than addressing the people's concerns, President Miguel Díaz-Canel has chosen to discredit the protesters. In episode 30 of his podcast "Desde la Presidencia," he labeled peaceful demonstrators as "antisocial" and "criminal." Díaz-Canel compared the current wave of unrest to the Maleconazo of 1994, claiming that external forces are manipulating the protests.
These statements starkly contrast with the growing social discontent on the island, emphasizing the disconnect between the ruling elite and the citizens facing one of the most severe crises in decades.
As the government attempts to control the narrative, the reality is evident. The Cuban people, increasingly impoverished and desperate, have begun to break their silence, courageously taking to the streets to demand basic living conditions.
In Santa Rita, as in other parts of the country, images of citizens protesting have become a symbol of accumulated despair. A despair that neither internet shutdowns, repression, nor official rhetoric seems able to contain.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
Why are residents of Granma protesting?
Residents are protesting against prolonged power outages, food and water shortages, and the poor living conditions imposed by the government.
How has the government responded to the protests?
The government has responded by discrediting the protesters, labeling them as "antisocial" and "criminal," and attributing the unrest to external manipulation.
What is the current situation in other parts of Cuba?
Protests are occurring in various parts of the country, including Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, and universities in Guantánamo and Cienfuegos, all driven by similar grievances.