A video circulating on social media captures the exact moment when a young man was shot while standing outside the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Morón, located in the province of Ciego de Ávila, amid protests on Friday night.
The footage, approximately seven minutes long, documents the most intense scenes of the fire set by demonstrators in front of the party's building.
At one point, a young man stands near the building’s entrance when a gunshot is distinctly heard.
This incident occurs around the 5:02 mark of the video.
Following the gunshot, the young man moves a few steps with evident difficulty before collapsing on the sidewalk, prompting bystanders to rush to his aid.
The person recording the video can also be heard reacting to the event, expressing concern over the incident.
"They shot him. Look, they shot one of them and then they say they don't shoot," the videographer comments just before a group of protesters carry the injured individual to a moped to transport him to a hospital.
This isn't the sole video shared online in recent hours capturing the shooting incident.
According to various unverified social media reports, the young man is allegedly 16 years old, which, if confirmed, would exacerbate the situation due to his being a minor.
The footage shows a slender young man wearing dark shorts, with his shirt tied around his head when he was struck in the thigh.
Official Denial of Shooting Incident
Despite the video evidence circulating online, Periódico Invador and various officials aligned with the Cuban regime have adamantly denied in recent hours that a protester was shot during the unrest.
Carlos Pérez, one of the first to respond on Facebook, claimed the event was merely a controlled disturbance, denying that the young man was a victim of repression.
"The young man they now try to portray as a 'victim' was ironically one of the leaders of the disorder. He fell while attempting to tear down the Party sign," Pérez stated.
According to his account, the young man was taken to the hospital by his fellow protesters and is receiving medical attention "without complications."
Pérez suggested that the circulated images on social media are part of a political maneuver against the government.
"It wasn’t a spontaneous incident. The images clearly show it: everything was orchestrated... seeking a spectacle to be exploited externally," he indicated.
Official reporter Francisnet Díaz Rondón echoed this narrative, denying that protesters were shot at.
"The falsehood that a child was shot has spread, but there were no gunshot injuries. Shots were fired into the air to disperse the riot," he wrote.
The journalist insisted that the young man was injured from falling.
"The guy they are trying to victimize was one of the instigators of the disorder. He fell while attempting to tear off the Party's identification," he asserted.
Vanguardia newspaper later reinforced this version on the social media platform X, stating "there were no gunshot injuries" and that any shots fired were "into the air to disperse the riot."
Contradictions and Skepticism Over the Official Account
The official statements starkly contrast with the visuals shared from the scene.
The circulating video depicts a shirtless, slender, youthful-looking individual being carried by several demonstrators as they urgently seek medical help for him.
Yet, photos later released by state media show a clothed, bulkier, and more mature-looking young man.
The disparities between these images—the clothing, physical build, and apparent age—immediately sparked skepticism among numerous social media users, questioning whether it is indeed the same person or an attempt to fabricate an alternate version of the event.
Protests Amid Severe Economic Crisis
Reports of the injured youth emerged following Friday night's protests in Morón, where residents took to the streets to voice their grievances over extended blackouts, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis plaguing the country.
Videos shared on social media depict residents marching through various parts of the city, chanting "Freedom!" and banging pots and pans.
According to these reports, the local party headquarters was also set ablaze during the disturbances, and several bicycles used by police officers were torched.
Another video shows the protest later moving towards the police station, where women and young people stood outside the building chanting "Freedom!"
The protests arise amid growing social discontent on the island, marked by prolonged power outages, scarcity of essential goods, and a general decline in living conditions.
Key Questions About the Shooting Incident in Morón
What sparked the protests in Morón?
The protests in Morón were triggered by extended blackouts, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis affecting Cuba.
Was the young man who was shot a minor?
Unverified social media reports claim the young man was 16 years old, which, if confirmed, would make him a minor.
What is the official stance on the shooting incident?
The official stance is that no protester was shot, and any gunfire was aimed in the air to disperse the crowd. They claim the young man was injured from falling.