A graffiti message reading "Canel Murderer" emerged on a wall at the bustling intersection of 31st and 66th Streets in Playa, a highly trafficked area in western Havana. The independent profile La Kinkalla TV reported the incident on Tuesday, sharing a video of individuals attempting to erase the protest message, allegedly painted at midnight.
The message, conspicuously scrawled in large yellow letters on a tall wall near the busy corner, surprised local residents and officials alike. Observers have interpreted this as a protest against the recent price hike by the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA), which has sparked widespread outrage across the nation.
The video clearly captured the bold lettering visible from both the sidewalk and the main road. Alongside the individuals trying to cover up the graffiti, a couple dressed in civilian clothes on a Suzuki motorcycle was noted, believed by many to be affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Protest in Plain Sight
Public displays of dissent towards Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel are rare in such open areas, due to the stringent state control over political expression. However, since the significant protests on July 11, 2021, there has been an increase in symbolic acts of defiance, particularly in urban settings.
This latest graffiti adds to a string of similar protests across various provinces in recent years. For instance, in March 2024, slogans like "Díaz-Canel singao" appeared in Matanzas following intense protest activities. Similarly, in August 2022, messages such as "Down with the dictatorship" and "Long Live Free Cuba" were reported in Holguín’s Loma de la Cruz. In Cienfuegos, a police operation was launched after anti-Díaz-Canel graffiti appeared at a local high school.
A Growing Movement of Defiance
The "paint your piece" challenge went viral in July 2021, resurfacing with each energy crisis or heightened public discontent. Despite the risks of being caught, many Cubans continue to express their frustration through graffiti and painted messages against the government.
The regime perceives these public declarations as a breaking point of fear and a society striving to make its voice heard. Consequently, they rush to erase the graffiti and apprehend the individuals responsible, using intimidation tactics to suppress further dissent.
Understanding Public Dissent in Cuba
What prompted the recent graffiti protest in Havana?
The graffiti was reportedly a reaction against the recent price increase by ETECSA, which has led to significant public outrage.
How does the Cuban government typically respond to such acts of protest?
The government often acts swiftly to remove protest messages and identify those responsible, employing threats and arrests to discourage further dissent.
What impact have the July 2021 protests had on public dissent in Cuba?
Since the protests, there has been a noticeable rise in symbolic acts of defiance, particularly in urban areas, challenging the government's tight control over political expression.