New images of the massive protest this Friday in Río Cauto, Granma, have emerged, showcasing the scale of the mobilization that demanded the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother who was detained this week after speaking out about the extreme shortages and misery in that area.
The protest, which started as a local demonstration in the town of Guamo Viejo, turned into a mass event with hundreds of residents taking to the streets to demand women's freedom.
In the images and videos spread by opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, the moment is captured when the protesters, despite the presence of repressive forces, sang the national anthem in the same square where Mayelín Carrasco was detained three days ago.
In that place, the neighbors continued to demand their release and called for their right to freedom of expression.
Throughout the demonstration, attendees chanted slogans like "Freedom for Mayelín" and displayed signs in support of the mother, while some residents struck their pots as a form of protest against the repression.
Despite the arrival of police patrols to intimidate the protesters, the residents stayed in the streets and forced the highest authorities of the province to confront them.
The first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Granma, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, went to the site and told the protesters that the revolution would not take away anything it had given them, not even "electricity."
Mayelín Carrasco, 47 years old, had publicly reported the severe shortage of basic food items to feed her children. "Everything has collapsed," she expressed in her statements, referring to the economic crisis affecting the country.
After criticizing the harsh living conditions she faces, she was arrested violently and subjected to interrogations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Protest in Río Cauto
Why did the massive protest occur in Río Cauto?
The mass protest in Río Cauto occurred in response to the arrest of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a Cuban mother who was detained after reporting the extreme shortage of food and the dire conditions in her community. The demonstration began as a local protest and quickly turned into a massive gathering where hundreds of people participated, demanding her release and calling for the right to freedom of expression.
Who is Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez and why was she arrested?
Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez is a 47-year-old Cuban mother, residing in the town of Guamo Viejo, Río Cauto, Granma. She was arrested for publicly protesting against the shortage of basic food items and the lack of resources to feed her three children. Her arrest was violent and occurred after she spoke out in the Ángel Fría square in Río Cauto about the severe economic situation facing her community.
What has been the response of the Government of Cuba to the protest in Río Cauto?
The Government of Cuba, through the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Granma, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, sought to quell the protest by claiming that the revolution would not take away anything it had given them, such as electricity. The authorities attempted to discredit Mayelín Carrasco by asserting that they had offered solutions to her situation, but without mentioning that these offers were not viable due to low wages and lack of resources.
What role has José Daniel Ferrer played in this case?
José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), has been an active advocate for the case of Mayelín Carrasco. He has shared videos of the protest and has used his social media platforms to call for support for Mayelín Carrasco and for all Cubans who are protesting against the regime. Ferrer has condemned the repression of the Cuban government and has urged solidarity with Carrasco and her cause.
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