Thursday, March 28

Hurricane Ian aggravates the political crisis in Cuba and revives protests in Havana


After the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian as it passed through western Cuba on Tuesday, and more than 72 hours without electricity in the country due to “breakdowns” in the National Electromagnetic System, the desperation of Cubans increases. Hundreds took to the streets to protest this Thursday mainly in Havana.

In Cerro, Havana, dozens of people, especially women, threw a rope from sidewalk to sidewalk and stopped in the middle of the street. “Traffic stopped, and no one, no one can stop a crowd of people who are injured,” one of the neighbors told ABC. According to the lady, so many days without electricity is worsening access to food. “The chicken is given to you every two and a half months, and you have to sell even your clothes to be able to buy it, because it is very expensive, and on top of that it is spoiling,” she lamented.

“We are tired, it is too much,” said another of the protesters. Everyone chanted “we want the light.”

Shortly after the protest began, several patrol cars and State Security officers surrounded the area. It is unknown if they made any arrests, but the mere police presence was intimidating. Immediately, the authorities began to implement the pertinent arrangements to restore their electricity service.

Nevertheless, power outages spread across almost the entire country and the regime’s ability to respond has been slow. By Thursday night, the protests were increasing, especially in Havana. In various parts of the capital, the sounds of saucepans were heard, a form of popular protest. To prevent the extension of the protests, the regime cut the internet service throughout the island for about seven hours and militarization was reported in several towns in the country.

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In Cárdenas, Matanzas, the inhabitants came to break store windows and a bank, and protested in several areas. At the close of this information, the city continued to be militarized.

“They are making fun of the people”

Miguel Díaz-Canel has toured several of the areas affected by the hurricane and assured that the Government will assist everyone. However, popular unrest has been evident.

South of Havana, in the town known as Surgidero de Batabanó, province of Mayabeque, the residents booed the Cuban president.

“Shameless. It’s good now, don’t you feel sorry for the people who are the ones who are really suffering? They are making fun of the people, with the work we are going through,” some shouted before the cars that were transporting the procession and State Security officers who were guarding them.

In Bath robe there were penetrations of the sea and collapses of houses; some lost their belongings and have been without power since Monday. “I’m sleeping on the boards where the mattress goes,” shouted one of the protesters.

“We have lost everything, our house, our belongings, this is a disaster. We feel abandoned to our fate»

In Pinewood of the river At least three deaths and extensive damage to homes, tobacco and agricultural production are reported. In San Juan y Martínez, one of the most affected towns in the province and one of extreme poverty, until this Thursday the authorities had not even agreed.

“We have lost everything, our house, our belongings, this is a disaster. We feel abandoned to our fate,” said one of the residents.

After the widespread electricity cut this Wednesday, the authorities have managed to restore service in some areas, but it has been insufficient. The country’s recovery will take months due to the acute economic crisis.

If the desperate situation continues, the protests are likely to spread, although many still fear the repression of the regime, as happened on July 11 last year.


www.abc.es

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