In the wake of recent protests in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, the Cuban regime continues to refuse the allegation that a demonstrator was shot during the unrest on Friday night.
In a move to shape the narrative, the authorities have released a new official account of events, despite circulating social media videos that seem to capture the exact moment of the alleged gunfire.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
According to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the young man injured during the clashes reportedly fell due to intoxication and is currently receiving medical care at the Roberto Rodríguez General Hospital in Morón. However, this account starkly contrasts with online footage showing a young man collapsing after what sounds like a gunshot near the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) headquarters.
Identifying the Injured Teen
The regime's propaganda machinery quickly worked to bolster the official story, with profiles on social media identifying the injured teen. A pro-government Facebook account, Alejandro Noticias, named the teenager as Kevin Samuel Echeverría Rodríguez, a 16-year-old.
In a post laced with derogatory remarks about the protesters, the profile claimed: "During the VANDALIC acts at the Municipal Party Committee headquarters, one of the vandals, KEVIN SAMUEL ECHEVERRÍA RODRÍGUEZ, accidentally fell from the building's ledge while throwing materials and state property for others to burn."
The same statement adamantly denies that any shots were fired at the protesters. "The supposed gunshot was only seen by the FOOL recording the video. Besides, as you can see, nobody dispersed," the official source added.
The regime's version insists that the teenager "did not suffer any health issues" beyond "minor bruises from the fall" and remains detained by authorities. The post also emphasized that the young man is criminally liable according to Cuban law: "Legal experts remind us that the VANDAL has turned 16, the age at which, according to the current Cuban Penal Code, he becomes criminally responsible."
Visual Evidence Challenges Official Narrative
Contradicting the government's explanation, a widely circulated seven-minute video on social media captures the most tense moments of the protests outside the PCC headquarters in Morón. The footage shows a young man standing near the building's entrance when a gunshot is clearly heard.
This occurs around the 5:02 mark in the video. After the loud noise, the young man struggles to move a few meters before collapsing on the sidewalk. Several bystanders quickly rush to assist him, and the person recording the video can be heard reacting: "They shot him. Look, they shot one of them, and then they say they don't shoot."
Seconds later, a group of protesters lifts the injured youth onto a scooter to transport him to a hospital. The video shows a slim young man in dark shorts, his shirt tied around his head, being hit apparently in the thigh.
Despite this visual evidence, state-affiliated media and regime spokespeople remain steadfast in their denial that any shooting occurred during the demonstrations.
Protests Amidst Widespread Crisis
The reports of the injured teen emerged following the Friday night protests in Morón, where locals took to the streets to voice their discontent over prolonged power outages, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis plaguing the country. Social media videos depict residents marching through various parts of the city, chanting "Freedom!" and banging pots and pans.
During the unrest, several recordings show the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party set ablaze, along with several bicycles used by police officers. Another video shows the protestors moving toward the police station, where women and youths rallied outside the building, again chanting "Freedom!"
These demonstrations occur amid escalating social unrest on the island, driven by extended blackouts, scarcity of essential goods, and a general decline in living conditions.
Key Questions About the Morón Protest Incident
What is the official explanation given by the Cuban regime for the injury in Morón?
The Cuban regime claims that the young man fell while intoxicated and did not suffer any serious injuries beyond minor bruises.
What evidence contradicts the official narrative of the Morón protests?
A video circulating on social media shows a young man collapsing after a gunshot is heard, challenging the official account that no shots were fired.
Who has been identified as the injured protester in Morón?
The injured protester has been identified as Kevin Samuel Echeverría Rodríguez, a 16-year-old, according to pro-regime social media accounts.
What sparked the protests in Morón?
Residents protested against prolonged power outages, food scarcity, and the severe economic crisis affecting Cuba.