A young Cuban was repressed and arrested by officials from the Police and State Security in the city of Camagüey while peacefully protesting against the Castrist regime last Saturday.
A video posted on social media by Cuban journalist José Raúl Gallego shows the moment when four police officers and plainclothes agents use force to prevent the young man from continuing his protest in Plaza de la Caridad. In broad daylight, the protester was shouting, "¡Díaz-Canel singa’o!". One of the repressors even tried to silence him by covering his mouth.
"Last Saturday, May 18, a young man protested in Plaza de la Caridad, Camagüey. In the video, you can see him being repressed by police and plainclothes paramilitaries. One of them tries to cover his mouth when the young man calls @DiazCanelB for what he is: Singao," Gallego wrote on the social network X.
The footage shows some people attempting to prevent the agents from taking the protester into custody. Gallego noted that the young man chose to protest in front of one of the State Security headquarters in Camagüey and published a photo and map showing the location of the military institution and the park. He also stated that "three people from the area confirmed the protest and the arrest."
Citing received information, the journalist revealed that the young man resides in the Torre Blanca neighborhood, "but his name and current condition after the protest are unknown." He also requested "any information that could help make visible what is happening to him at this moment."
The young man's protest is further evidence of the frustration among Cubans, who are deprived of the most fundamental human rights and have no other recourse but to protest—risking arrest and lengthy, unjust prison sentences—or, in the "best" case scenario, leaving the country like hundreds of thousands have done in the last two and a half years due to the deep economic crisis and the oppressive climate on the island.
Growing Discontent Amid Continuous Blackouts
In recent days, public discontent has grown due to the constant and interminable blackouts, which have lasted up to 18 hours or more in several provinces. As a result, many families have lost much of the scarce food they manage to acquire due to lack of refrigeration, suffered damage to their appliances from unexpected outages, and are unable to sleep at night due to the stifling heat—creating an unbearable and inhumane situation.
Mass protests in Las Tunas and Baracoa demanding electricity and food, mothers camping out with their children at local government offices, posters in central areas of towns and cities, and various other forms of protest have erupted in recent days.
Regarding the power cuts, the Cuban regime admitted that it expects protests in July and August due to the blackouts, despite the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) claiming that thermoelectric plants will undergo maintenance until the end of June to ensure a blackout-free summer. However, most Cubans view these claims with skepticism and disbelief.
Common Questions about Protests and Blackouts in Cuba
Given the recent events and ongoing issues in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions that might help clarify the situation:
What led to the young man's arrest in Camagüey?
The young man was arrested while peacefully protesting against the Cuban regime in Plaza de la Caridad, Camagüey.
How has the Cuban government responded to the ongoing blackouts?
The Cuban government has admitted that it expects protests due to the blackouts, despite assurances from Unión Eléctrica that maintenance will prevent summer outages.
What impact have the blackouts had on Cuban citizens?
The blackouts have caused food spoilage, appliance damage, and unbearable living conditions due to the heat, leading to increased public discontent and protests.
What are the main reasons behind the protests in Cuba?
Protests in Cuba are driven by economic hardships, lack of basic human rights, and the oppressive actions of the regime, exacerbated by continuous blackouts and poor living conditions.