Demonstrations come as Cuba faces a more serious role in the coronavirus crisis.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets at anti-government protests in Cuba, where The coronavirus epidemic and economic crisis are causing a stir, with some demonstrators chanting “down with the tyrants” and “we want freedom.”
During Sunday’s protests in San Antonio de los Banos, a town of about 50,000 people southwest of Havana, mostly young people mocked President Miguel Diaz-Canel, according to videos posted online. “We are not afraid,” some said.
“I just walked around town looking for food and there were a lot of people there, some with signs, doing demonstrations,” local resident Claris Ramirez told Reuters by telephone.
“They are protesting against the power outage, that there is no cure,” he added.
Thousands of people also gathered in the city of Havana and other parts of the coast where there were police presence, during a day-long demonstration in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba.
The demonstrations came at a time when Cuba was experiencing some of the worst yet most serious cases of coronavirus infection, and on the same day they recorded a new record of illness and death.
Public outrage has been fueled by long lines of food and drug shortages since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, when Cuba was criticized by the United States.
Diaz-Canel late Sunday afternoon spoke to the country, blaming the US for the violence. He warned that some “harassment” would not be allowed.
Havana journalist Ed Augustin says there are more police forces in the city. Diaz-Canel also called on those who are supporting Cuban reform to come and defend themselves.
“This is the biggest show in Cuba for many years,” Augustin told Al Jazeera.
Cuba has not been left untouched in the first months of coronavirus infection, but it has seen a recent increase in infections.
CUBA: Media coverage of anti-government protests in many cities amid reports of a shortage of gas, electricity and vaccines.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel responds, calling it an outrage and calling for freedom fighters to take to the streets.
– Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) July 11, 2021
A new record of 6,923 daily cases was reported on Sunday, with another 47 people dying. “These are alarming numbers that are increasing day by day,” said Francisco Duran, chief of infectious diseases in the Ministry of Health.
The world is growing Five COVID-19 vaccines and last month said one of them, named Abdalla, showed 92% efficiency.
Cuban doctors and nurses were present running the capital in an attempt to strengthen the jabs, hopefully inococations will help us reduce the incidence of disease.
