Controversy over the simultaneous arrest of five pedicabs by a single police officer in Havana

The simultaneous arrest of five pedicabs by the same police officer in Havana has generated controversy on social networks about compliance with the Traffic Law and the arbitrariness of the authorities.

The Internet user identified inFacebook as "Raul Fernández" commented in the group "BUS & TRUCK ACCIDENTS, for more experience and fewer victims" about the event, sparking a strong discussion about it.

"Greetings group. If you can help me with something, this morning I was able to observe a Motorized agent who detained fivebicitaxis at the same time, to which I ask... Is it allowed? .

The Cuban identified as "Ernesto Alvarez" recalled that "instruction #21 of the vice minister of the Interior says thatA law enforcement officer must stop no more than one vehicle on a public road., you must go to the vehicle, ask the driver for the documents and explain the reason for the arrest and if you have committed any infraction, explain the article and subsection committed."

He added that the agent must park his motorcycle in a visible place that does not obstruct the road in order to prevent accidents; but he concluded that in Cuba the police do "whatever they want."

Another member of the group, "Enrique Guerra Alfonso", stated that the police constantly violate the laws and "hide the motorcycle" so as not to be seen by drivers, "when they are just another sign on the road."

A third user of the social network said that the law indicates that you cannot stop more than one vehicle at a time but "here the laws are not respected and they do whatever they want and without the right to protest."

A new Internet user said that despite the Law, if one of the five affected drivers complains to the police officer based on the regulations, if the agent "feels like it, he will be taken to prison" under pretexts such as "disobedience, contempt or whatever you deem appropriate."

A little over a year ago, pedicab drivers in Old Havana denounced the growing siege they were suffering from inspectors from the Comprehensive Supervision Directorate (DIS).

They stated that these increased theimposition of fines indiscriminately in collusion with the Police.

Independent organizations report an increase inrepressive actions of the regime in recent weeks, against the increasingly defenseless population.