According to a state newspaper, five people were arrested during protests against blackouts and food shortages on the island
The building of Cuban Communist Partylocated in Morón, 460 km from the capital Havana, was invaded this Saturday (14). Protesters protested against prolonged blackouts and food shortages.
O Invaderone of the state’s media outlets, reported that five people were arrested. “What began peacefully, and after an exchange with local authorities, degenerated into acts of vandalism against the headquarters of the Municipal Party Committee, where a small group of people stoned the entrance to the building and set fire to the street using reception furniture“, reported the newspaper.
This is historic. The brave people of Cuba have just taken the headquarters of the Communist Party in Ciego de Avila.
Let’s not leave these heroes alone who are risking their lives for freedom.
The dictatorship has to fall, it is a mission of all humanity.
— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti)
The vehicle also published a photo of a pro-government ceremony in the attacked buildingled by Communist Party leaders in Morón and described as “an act of revolutionary reaffirmation”.
The protests occur at a time when the country, with 9.6 million inhabitants, is facing a serious economic crisis, worsened by the abrupt suspension of oil exports from Venezuela. After the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro in January, the United States imposed an embargo on the island.
‘Many people’
Two residents of Morón, who spoke to the AFP over the phone on condition of anonymity, said the protest was massive. “There were a lot of people, they really can’t take it anymore,” said one of the interviewees, who explained that they only have an hour and a half of electricity a day between blackouts.
He added that, in this municipality, with approximately 70,000 inhabitants, “all hotels, the main source of employment, remain closed due to the fuel crisis and the drop in tourism”.
The Cuban government announced a emergency measures package which includes the temporary closure of some hotels and the relocation of tourists to a few facilities.
“One of the situations that is having a big impact is the number of people who have lost their jobs and are practically without income,” commented the source.
*AFP
