The Cuban government has sought to downplay the significance of a protest carried out by residents of Baire, located in the municipality of Contramaestre in Santiago, by framing it as a mere "dialogue" between local authorities and citizens impacted by persistent power outages.
In an attempt to trivialize the events of the previous night, the pro-government page Héroes del Moncada shared a post on Facebook on Friday. The post attempted to downplay the actions of numerous residents who took to the streets of Baire, voicing their frustration over power outages, food shortages, and a lack of potable water that has been plaguing the eastern population for weeks.
Amid their grievances, demonstrators also demanded freedom, with chants including "Down with Díaz-Canel!" resonating throughout the streets. According to narratives disseminated by state-controlled media, "the top authorities of the locality appeared at the scene and addressed the community's questions."
These sources claimed that officials outlined the "actual issues with the electrical service" and appealed for "collective understanding" as efforts are reportedly underway to resolve the situation. The communication stressed that after this alleged dialogue, "peace and calm, which have always defined the area, were restored."
Moreover, the statement accused individuals, "mostly from abroad," of attempting to "manipulate and politicize the situation." Meanwhile, videos and posts circulating on social media depict Baire residents chanting slogans and demanding solutions to the power cuts, reflecting the escalating public dissatisfaction with the country’s multifaceted crisis.
Protesters managed to bypass police controls by avoiding the main road and instead taking side streets (Avenues 8 and 4). Upon reaching Baire's Central Park, they voiced their chants in front of the police station and the residence of the People's Council president.
In a familiar maneuver, the government temporarily cut internet service throughout the area to impede the protest's dissemination. However, connectivity was restored after 30 minutes, allowing residents to share their accounts on social media.
Understanding the Baire Protest in Cuba
What sparked the protest in Baire?
The protest in Baire was sparked by prolonged power outages, food shortages, and a lack of potable water, leading residents to voice their frustration and demand solutions from the government.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protest?
The Cuban government attempted to downplay the protest by describing it as a "dialogue" between authorities and residents, while also cutting internet access in the area to limit the spread of information about the event.
What measures did protesters take to avoid police controls?
Protesters evaded police controls by avoiding the main road and using side streets, allowing them to reach key locations like the Central Park and police station to voice their demands.