The Cuban Protests

Cuba, starting from 11 of July and as being spread to more than 40 towns and cities, has been witnessing one of the widest wave of protest in the history of the country. The main demand that motivates the protests has been reported as the fact that the deteriorating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the life conditions -with the accelerating numbers of death resulting from the Covid-19 during 2021- has worsened the economic and social abilities of the individuals and groups within the country that had already been suffering shortage of economic goods -primarily food and medicine- as a result of long-standing the US sanctions.

While economic and social rights stands as the starting point of the protests, concerns regarding civil liberties, remarkably freedom of assembly, expression and freedom concerning use of social media- also found their place at the center of motions.

Additionally, the demands and presence of minorities and marginalized persons and groups has also occupied a significant place during the protests. Specifically, Afro-Cubans -who constitute between %30 to %60 per cent of the population differing based of the definition- address minority-related issues such as lack of access to economic benefits provided by the state, lack of representation, and  race-based discrimination.

On the other hand, the Government authorities stated their suspicions concerning the US’ support behind the protest and noted their intention to press the protesters: Hundreds of protesters have been arrested and the supporters of the Government have been called to streets to respond ongoing protests.

 Sources:

 Anthony Harrup and Santiago Pérez, What Is Happening in Cuba? The Protests Against the Communist Regime, The Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2021, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-protests-whats-happening-11626112390

Carmen Sesin, It's about 'freedom': Cuban Americans say shortages don't explain protests, NBCNews, July 17, 2021, available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/freedom-cuban-americans-say-shortages-dont-explain-protests-rcna1437

María Luisa Paúl, ‘A powder keg about to explode’: Long marginalized Afro Cubans at forefront of island’s unrest, The Washington Post, July 19, 2021, available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/19/cuba-protests-afro-cubans/

Santiago Pérez, Cuba to Prosecute People Detained During Recent Protests, The Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2021, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-to-prosecute-people-detained-during-recent-protests-11626786827?mod=article_inline

Cuba, starting from 11 of July and as being spread to more than 40 towns and cities, has been witnessing one of the widest wave of protest in the history of the country. The main demand that motivates the protests has been reported as the fact that the deteriorating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the life conditions -with the accelerating numbers of death resulting from the Covid-19 during 2021- has worsened the economic and social abilities of the individuals and groups within the country that had already been suffering shortage of economic goods -primarily food and medicine- as a result of long-standing the US sanctions.

While economic and social rights stands as the starting point of the protests, concerns regarding civil liberties, remarkably freedom of assembly, expression and freedom concerning use of social media- also found their place at the center of motions.

Additionally, the demands and presence of minorities and marginalized persons and groups has also occupied a significant place during the protests. Specifically, Afro-Cubans -who constitute between %30 to %60 per cent of the population differing based of the definition- address minority-related issues such as lack of access to economic benefits provided by the state, lack of representation, and  race-based discrimination.

On the other hand, the Government authorities stated their suspicions concerning the US’ support behind the protest and noted their intention to press the protesters: Hundreds of protesters have been arrested and the supporters of the Government have been called to streets to respond ongoing protests.

 Sources:

 Anthony Harrup and Santiago Pérez, What Is Happening in Cuba? The Protests Against the Communist Regime, The Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2021, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-protests-whats-happening-11626112390

Carmen Sesin, It's about 'freedom': Cuban Americans say shortages don't explain protests, NBCNews, July 17, 2021, available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/freedom-cuban-americans-say-shortages-dont-explain-protests-rcna1437

María Luisa Paúl, ‘A powder keg about to explode’: Long marginalized Afro Cubans at forefront of island’s unrest, The Washington Post, July 19, 2021, available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/19/cuba-protests-afro-cubans/

Santiago Pérez, Cuba to Prosecute People Detained During Recent Protests, The Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2021, available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-to-prosecute-people-detained-during-recent-protests-11626786827?mod=article_inline