In the wake of protests in Morón, representatives linked to Cuba's official apparatus have denied that a young man was shot, despite a circulating video on social media showing a young person being urgently transported by demonstrators.
This denial is part of a narrative promoted by pro-government profiles and state media, aiming to downplay the incident and portray the allegations as a supposed manipulation campaign against the government.
One of the first to speak out was Carlos Pérez, who stated on Facebook that the event was merely a "disturbance" that has been controlled, and denied that the young man in the video was a victim of repression.
"Ironically, the young man they are now trying to present as a 'victim' was one of the leaders of the unrest. He fell while trying to tear down the Party sign," Pérez claimed.
He further stated that the young man was taken to the hospital by his companions on a motorcycle and is currently receiving medical attention "without complications."
Pérez also argued that the images circulating on social media are part of a political fabrication.
"This was not a spontaneous event. The images clearly demonstrate that everything was orchestrated to create a spectacle that could later be exploited from abroad," he said.
Official Media Repeats the Same Story
Official journalist Francisnet Díaz Rondón echoed this version, using his Facebook profile to deny any shooting at the protesters.
"The lie that a child was shot has been spread, but there were no gunshot injuries. The shots were fired into the air to disperse the crowd," he stated.
"The young man they are trying to victimize was one of those responsible for the chaos. He fell while attempting to tear down the Party's identification," Díaz insisted.
He reiterated that the shooting allegation is a manipulation attempt.
"The image shows the protest scene, but it's important that people know the truth: no one was injured by bullets," he concluded.
State Media Reiterates the Narrative
The state-run newspaper Vanguardia reinforced the official narrative by posting on X that everything is part of a manipulation.
"The truth is clear: there were no gunshot injuries. The shots were fired into the air to disperse the protest," the newspaper asserted.
The tweet also reiterated that the young man was injured after falling during the unrest and was taken to the hospital by other demonstrators.
Denying the Reality
The statements from these three sources repeat almost word-for-word the same official version: no shots were fired at demonstrators, and the young man in question was injured in a fall.
However, a video shared on social media presents a different scenario: a seemingly injured young man is being urgently carried by several demonstrators onto a motorcycle.
The footage shows a shirtless, slender, youthful-looking individual being transported amid the shouts of those trying to assist him.
The contrast with a photo later released by official media has raised suspicions.
In the government propaganda image, a young man appears clothed, with a larger build and seemingly older than the one in the video.
The physical differences between the two—the clothing, body build, and apparent age—have led many to question whether it is indeed the same person or an attempt to create an alternative version of events.
Many social media users suggest that the contrast between the images indicates a hastily assembled narrative intended to discredit reports of a protester being shot.
Protests Against Dire Conditions
Reports regarding the injured young man emerged following the protests that took place on Friday night in Morón.
During these demonstrations, groups of residents took to the streets to protest against blackouts, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis that the country is enduring.
Videos shared on social media show residents marching through various areas of the city while chanting "Freedom!" and banging pots and pans.
One of the recordings captures the moment when several demonstrators carry an apparently injured young man in an effort to rush him to medical care.
Activist Magdiel Castro shared the images and noted reports that the young man might be a minor.
Independent journalist José Raúl Gallego also reported that the young man was allegedly shot by a police officer while near a bonfire in front of the local Communist Party headquarters.
According to his reports, the local party headquarters was also set on fire during the unrest, and several bicycles used by police officers were burned.
Another video shows the protest later moving toward the police station, where women and young people gathered to shout "Freedom!"
The protests arise amid growing social unrest in Cuba, marked by prolonged power outages, food scarcity, and a general decline in living conditions.
In this context, the government's efforts to deny the shootings and present alternative versions of the events are part of a strategy to discredit the allegations and project an image of normalcy following a day of intense tensions.
Questions About the Morón Protests
What sparked the protests in Morón?
The protests in Morón were triggered by widespread discontent over prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis affecting Cuba.
Was the young man in the video shot during the protests?
The Cuban government denies that the young man was shot, claiming he was injured in a fall. However, video evidence suggests he was urgently transported by demonstrators, sparking debate over the true nature of his injuries.
What is the official narrative regarding the protests?
The official narrative from the Cuban government and state media denies any gunfire at protesters and claims the young man's injuries resulted from a fall. They describe the incident as a controlled disturbance and a manipulated political spectacle.