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Cuban streets erupted in a night of chaos and defiance as protesters boldly called for an end to communism and targeted Communist Party offices in a rare display of opposition to the nation’s authoritarian regime.
In the wake of chants denouncing communism in Havana, residents of Morón, located in the Ciego de Ávila region, gathered for a peaceful demonstration. The rally voiced discontent with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, highlighting ongoing power outages and food shortages as underlying grievances.
President Diaz-Canel revealed on Friday that discussions had commenced with the Trump administration, aiming to address and alleviate the severe economic challenges facing Cuba, as reported by The Post.
As Saturday morning unfolded, the protests escalated into violence. Videos circulated on social media showed demonstrators hurling rocks at a local government building, accompanied by cries of “burn it” and demands for “liberty.”
The situation intensified when protesters forced their way into the Morón government building, seizing documents and furniture in the process.
Footage showed men throwing furniture from the upper floor of the building, before the items were then tossed into a bonfire that was set ablaze in the street, the Miami Herald reported.
Chaos further erupted when two men set fire to palm tree branches and threw them into the office building, prompting chants of “freedom” from people nearby — followed by a single gun shot, according to the outlet.
It is unclear if anyone was shot, although videos online show a person lying on the ground after the gunshot rang out. State media outlet Vanguardia de Cuba disputed online reports that the person had been shot by police.
“Media manipulation seeks to sow fear and confusion among our people. Let’s not fall for provocations,” the state media outlet added.
Following the chaos, local state newspaper, Invasor, said that Cuban authorities were investigating the “vandalism” and noted other state-run establishments were also impacted, including a pharmacy and a store.
“What began peacefully, and after an exchange with local authorities, escalated into vandalism against the headquarters of the Municipal Party Committee,” Invasor wrote.
“A smaller group of people threw stones at the building’s entrance and started a fire in the street, burning furniture from the reception area.”
Local police detained five people during the protests.
The raging protests this week were the first uprising seen on the shores of Cuba since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents in Havana have been chanting “down with communism” while banging pots and pans over the extended blackouts earlier in the week — and students staged a sit in at the University of Havana Monday after the government canceled classes, while blaming a US oil blockade for a near collapse of Cuba’s electrical grid.
After Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in January — President Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba which created an economic chokepoint for the country’s already failing electrical grid.
Trump predicted the communist dictatorship in Cuba ‘will fall pretty soon’ last week and claimed the Communist country ‘wants to make a deal so badly’ — after he previously warning the US might launch a ‘friendly takeover of Cuba.’
With Post wires