As Santiago de Cuba ushered in 2025 during the iconic Flag Festival at Parque Céspedes, a central public space in the city, one man boldly voiced his deepest wish for the New Year: "End communism!" The journalist Yomsany Mayeta highlighted this moment on Facebook, noting the man's call for change.
In the video shared by Mayeta, the man's voice resonates clearly with chants of "Patria y Vida," alongside other anti-government slogans such as "Freedom!" "Down with the dictatorship!" and "End communism in Cuba!" This protest is particularly significant as it occurred at the start of 2025 in Parque Céspedes, the very place where Fidel Castro declared the victory of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959.
The Flag Festival, a tradition over a century old initiated by Santiago's first mayor, Emilio Bacardí, is believed to hold symbolic and predictive power over the coming year. In this context, the man's fervent cries take on special importance.
Mayeta also noted on Facebook that despite the crowd gathering at Parque Céspedes on December 31, the national flag did not fly. Many interpreted this as a bad omen for 2025. "This year, much to the dismay of Santiago residents, the Lone Star Flag seems to wave, but it doesn't," Mayeta emphasized, reflecting on the longing for improvement.
He further recalled that on December 31, 2023, the flag did wave, yet 2024 turned out to be a challenging year for Cubans, especially for those in Santiago. "Although the Flag Festival has been celebrated for over 124 years, since 1959 it has become a communist homage to a 'Revolution' that is aging, much like its elder adherents," he remarked.
Significance and Impact of Protests in Cuba
Why is the protest at Parque Céspedes significant?
The protest is significant because it took place at the start of 2025 in a historically important location where Fidel Castro declared the victory of the Cuban Revolution. This adds symbolic weight to the call for the end of communism.
What is the historical importance of the Flag Festival in Santiago de Cuba?
The Flag Festival, started by Emilio Bacardí over a century ago, is believed to have symbolic and predictive significance regarding the future year. It has been a part of Santiago de Cuba's cultural tradition for over 124 years.