The Maleconazo, the first major anti-government protest in Cuba since 1959, marks its 30th anniversary this Monday. This event saw hundreds of people marching along the Malecón and surrounding areas, expressing their discontent with the island's economic situation and demanding freedom.
In 1994, Cuba was enduring an economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the downfall of the socialist bloc in Europe, a period referred to as the "Special Period". The uprising was preceded by weeks of tension, especially after the sinking of the tugboat '13 de marzo' on July 13, which had been taken by Cubans attempting to emigrate to the United States. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 37 people.
While the Cuban government claimed it was an accident, survivors accused the coast guards of ramming them. The protests were followed by the raft exodus of the summer of 1994.
Dutch photographer Karel Poort, who was vacationing in Cuba at the time, unexpectedly captured some of the most iconic images of the Maleconazo. In an interview, Poort recalled grabbing his Nikon F301 camera and heading to the Deauville Hotel across from the Havana Malecón, where people were chanting slogans like “Cuba sí, Castro no!” and “Freedom!”, as reported by EFE news agency.
“I was the only one there. There were no cell phones back then. That's why those photos are so special,” Poort concluded.
Today, the regime has once again propagated its version of the events through its official media outlets. Under the title “Against Vandalism, Moral Force,” an article in the Granma newspaper, affiliated with the Communist Party, labeled those who took to the streets as "antisocial" and highlighted their repression under orders from Fidel Castro.
This Monday, activists and opposition members in Havana also reported internet outages on their cell phones, a pre-paid service provided by ETECSA, Cuba's telecommunications company, according to Radio and TV Martí.
Understanding the Maleconazo Protests
To provide deeper insight into the Maleconazo, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What triggered the Maleconazo protests?
The Maleconazo protests were triggered by severe economic hardship during the "Special Period" in Cuba, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc in Europe. The sinking of the tugboat '13 de marzo', which resulted in 37 deaths, further fueled public outrage.
How did the Cuban government respond to the Maleconazo?
The Cuban government responded to the Maleconazo with repression and labeled the protesters as "antisocial." Fidel Castro ordered the suppression of the protests, and the regime has continued to propagate its version of the events through official media.
Who documented the Maleconazo protests?
Dutch photographer Karel Poort captured some of the most iconic images of the Maleconazo. He was vacationing in Cuba at the time and used his Nikon F301 camera to document the protests.