Cuban Regime Hypocrisy: Criticism of Argentina's Protest Crackdown

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez recently condemned the Argentine government for suppressing protests and violating fundamental rights, while conveniently overlooking the severe repression imposed by the Cuban regime on its own citizens. Rodríguez accused Argentina of violently quelling protests organized by those most affected by the neoliberal policies in the country, arguing that these actions are carried out under the guise of an increasingly dubious 'freedom'.

His remarks starkly contrast with the situation on the island, where during the July 11, 2021 protests, over 1,300 individuals were jailed merely for peacefully demonstrating. Out of these, more than 700 were handed prison sentences. Rodríguez's comments were in reference to the harsh crackdown by Milei's government on a protest led by retirees outside the Argentine Congress. This demonstration, which was also backed by soccer fans and various societal sectors, resulted in the most severe police repression since Javier Milei assumed presidency in December 2023.

The protesters, mainly retirees living on minimal incomes, were demanding better living conditions, access to medication, and the continuation of pension benefits. The police responded with tear gas, batons, and water cannons, leading to 103 arrests and 20 injuries, including an 87-year-old woman who was pushed and hit her head on the pavement. Soccer fan groups, unions, and social movements joined the protest, with many participants likening the police brutality to previous eras of repression.

Online users from the island reacted to Rodríguez's statements by highlighting the Cuban government's hypocrisy in pointing fingers at Argentina while ignoring its own oppressive actions. During the 11J protests, thousands of Cubans took to the streets demanding freedom, only to face arbitrary arrests, summary trials, and lengthy prison sentences for expressing their views.

Protests against blackouts and hunger are also brutally suppressed in Cuba. A recent example involves the violent arrest of a Cuban mother in Río Cauto, who protested alone because she had nothing to feed her three children. "Will you stand up for the Argentine people too?" asked an online commenter in response to the Minister's post. "A mother was detained days ago after publicly crying out in despair. She was intimidated to the point of silence, clearly out of fear. As a representative of that dictatorship, how can you have the audacity to speak of human rights?"

Another user questioned, "Why don't you mention the soccer hooligans who went to cause trouble with the police? But the 11J protesters were labeled as terrorists... Still, none of those hooligans will face 15 or 20 years in jail, or be accused of sedition."