In an attempt to quell a massive protest this Friday in Río Cauto, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Granma, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, told demonstrators that the revolution would not take away anything it has given them, and among those benefits, she mentioned "electricity."
The protest, sparked by the arrest of a Cuban mother who publicly denounced the scarcity and hunger in the area, ended with hundreds of people in the streets demanding the woman's release and better living conditions.
The demonstration took the regime by surprise and forced it to mobilize its officials and police forces to the area.
In that context, the PCC secretary, the highest authority in the province, tried to appease the public by claiming that "the revolution is not going to take away from anyone what it has given them," referring to "the achievements" accomplished under the revolutionary process.
And then, without mentioning the endless blackouts that affect the population for up to 23 hours a day, he stated that "the Revolution was the one that brought electricity" to Río Cauto.
"What was Río Cauto like before the triumph of the Revolution? There was hardly anything. Everything that has been built is thanks to the Revolution," reiterated Ortiz Barceló.
The station later published a note in which the authorities acknowledged "dissatisfaction and complaints about real situations affecting daily life"; however, it did not mention the detention of the Cuban mother, nor that on Thursday, in information published by the local government, it attempted to discredit her.
"Top leaders of the Party and the Government in the province arrived at the location and engaged in dialogue with those present. They discussed delays in the delivery of the basic basket, unpaid salaries, water supply, milk sales, transportation, and the situation regarding the electricity generation deficit," the official note states.
This Friday, what began as a protest by local residents turned into a massive demonstration in Río Cauto, where hundreds of people took to the streets to demand the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, the mother of three who was arrested this week for protesting alone in a public space.
The protesters, mostly local residents, chanted slogans like "Freedom for Mayelín" and displayed signs in support of her, while other residents banged on their pots and pans until the authorities arrived.
Frequently asked questions about the protest in Río Cauto and the situation in Cuba
Why did the protest originate in Río Cauto?
The protest in Río Cauto was sparked by the detention of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother who publicly denounced the scarcity of food and hunger in her community. The demonstration brought together hundreds of people who demanded her release and better living conditions in the region.
What did the first secretary of the PCC in Granma say to calm the protest?
Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the PCC in Granma, stated that "the revolution will not take away from anyone what it has given them," referring to achievements such as electricity. However, this statement was criticized due to the frequent blackouts affecting the population.
What are the main grievances of the protesters in Río Cauto?
The protesters in Río Cauto are mainly complaining about the scarcity of food, unpaid salaries, the deficit in electricity generation, and issues with water supply and transportation. These conditions have generated deep discontent in the region.
What actions did the local government take after the protest?
The local government of Río Cauto attempted to discredit Mayelín Carrasco, claiming that she was offered solutions such as temporary housing and job opportunities that she refused. However, this version has been challenged due to the lack of adequate conditions in the proposals made.
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