In a bold display of dissent, a woman staged an anti-government protest on Monday in the bustling Enramadas Street of Santiago de Cuba. As she stood in line for pension payments, she loudly voiced her disapproval of the regime with chants like "Down with Communism!" This act of defiance coincided with the anniversary of Fidel Castro's death, drawing counter-cries of "Long live Fidel!" from regime supporters, as reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on Facebook.
Shortly after her protest began, uniformed officers arrived and escorted the woman to the Second Police Unit, known locally as "El Palacete," according to the person who captured the incident on video. Eyewitnesses suggested that the woman might be suffering from psychiatric issues, speculating that she returned from a mission in Venezuela with these problems.
Psychological Impact of Economic Struggles
"It is striking that some individuals who go on so-called 'missions' come back to Cuba with psychiatric disorders," Mayeta reflected. The incident underscores a growing dissatisfaction among the population, where spontaneous protests have become a channel for expressing discontent with the regime.
For many, these demonstrations highlight the psychological toll that the ongoing economic and social crisis imposes on citizens. Earlier this month, Camagüey witnessed a similar expression of discontent when the phrase “Down with Communism” was boldly painted on Cristo Street, serving as a powerful statement against the Cuban government.
Nationwide Discontent and Protests
According to the Facebook page "ElMatero Cubano Uy," the message in Camagüey appeared in the early morning hours, humorously described as part of the "Paint Your Little Piece" series. November also saw significant unrest in Boyeros, Havana, where dozens of residents, having endured a week without electricity and water, obstructed traffic on Rancho Boyeros Avenue and the 100th Street Bridge to protest the prolonged outages of essential services.