A graffiti message reading “Down with the dictatorship. Díaz-Canel singao” was discovered this week on the exterior wall of a medical clinic in the La Hata neighborhood of Guanabacoa, Havana. This bold statement highlights the growing public discontent with the Cuban leader and the prevailing political system on the island.
The graffiti was reported on social media by academic and journalist José Raúl Gallego, who pinpointed the location: the medical post located at the intersection of Concha Street and 20th Street, near the 28 de Enero special school. According to the activist, this area has a strong military presence, with numerous buildings constructed for officers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).
The message, prominently written in large black letters, condemns the "dictatorship" and directs an insult at Miguel Díaz-Canel. The phrase “Díaz-Canel singao” gained popularity following the social unrest of July 11, 2021, and has been frequently used as a symbol of social rejection. Its origins trace back to a chant in a song by rapper Aldo el Aldeano, who introduced it as a rebellious slogan.
Public Discontent and Symbolic Resistance
Such messages have become increasingly common in public spaces across Cuba in recent years, particularly amid economic crises, power outages, repression, and price hikes, like the recent increase by ETECSA. Similar incidents have been reported recently in the Playa municipality of Havana and a central corner in Sancti Spíritus.
Although these protest expressions are typically erased swiftly by agents of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), they are often captured by residents and activists, who share them on social media. For many, these graffiti symbolize acts of symbolic resistance amid a climate of censorship and fear. The emergence of such defiant messages often triggers the deployment of police experts and enforcers to the area, even involving fingerprinting and using dogs to trace the author of the message.
The rapid spread of these images reflects a citizenry that, despite repression, continues to seek avenues to voice their outrage over the worsening living conditions in Cuba and the lack of freedoms.
Understanding the Rise of Graffiti Protests in Cuba
What does the graffiti message against Díaz-Canel signify?
The graffiti message signifies public discontent and serves as a protest against the Cuban regime and its leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, highlighting the population's desire for change and greater freedoms.
Why has the phrase “Díaz-Canel singao” become popular?
The phrase gained popularity after the social unrest on July 11, 2021, as a symbol of rejection towards Díaz-Canel, originating from a song by rapper Aldo el Aldeano.
How does the Cuban government respond to these graffiti protests?
The government typically responds by quickly erasing the graffiti, deploying police and experts to trace the authors, and maintaining a heavy presence to deter further acts of defiance.