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The Government of Granma organized a small agricultural fair in the municipality of Río Cauto following the massive mobilization this Friday, when hundreds of people took to the streets to demand the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother of three who was detained after denouncing the extreme scarcity and hunger in her community.
"An Integral Fair is taking place in the area of the Bosque de Río Cauto, where productive bases, the UEB of Trade and Gastronomy, and Calisur, along with the private sector, are offering a variety of products," wrote on their social media pages, the government.
In the images from the "fair," trucks with bananas are seen, sales of rice, peas, corn flour, and a few more products.
This is a strategy that the regime often resorts to in order to calm the citizens' unrest and project an image of normalcy, while blackmailing the people with one of the scarcities that Cubans suffer the most: food.
In the same vein, on the night of this Friday, following the citizens' demonstration, the local government released images of empty streets and stated, "Let us remember that peace and tranquility are a reflection of our strength as a people."
This Friday, protesters, mostly local residents, chanted slogans such as “Freedom for Mayelín” and displayed signs in her support, while other residents banged on their pots.
Mayelín Carrasco, 47 years old, had been arrested on Thursday after publicly denouncing the scarcity of food items such as milk and eggs, and the lack of basic resources for cooking.
The images shared of the protest this Friday captured the moments of tension experienced when local residents confronted the regime's repressive forces directly.
A crowd demanded explanations in front of a police cordon that included senior officials from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and the Revolutionary National Police (PNR), as well as plainclothes enforcers recording the protesters with their phones.
Amid the turmoil, the first secretary of the Party in Granma tried to appeal to collective sacrifice while justifying the repression.
Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló told the protesters that the revolution would not take away anything it has given them, and among those benefits she mentioned "electricity".
The official warned that she would not allow any more expressions of discontent in the locality. "That’s why I cannot allow anyone here to protest or talk to those they don’t know," the enforcer interjected.
Frequently Asked Questions about the protest in Río Cauto and the arrest of Mayelín Carrasco
Why was Mayelín Carrasco arrested?
Mayelín Carrasco was arrested for protesting against food shortages and poverty in her community of Río Cauto. She publicly denounced the lack of food for her children and the economic crisis affecting the local population. Her arrest, which was carried out violently, sparked a series of protests in the area.
What actions did the Cuban government take after the protests in Río Cauto?
After the protests, the Government organized an agricultural fair in Río Cauto as a strategy to calm tensions and convey an image of normalcy. However, this action was seen as an attempt to divert attention from social discontent rather than as an effective solution to the problems of scarcity.
What has been the response of local authorities to the criticism regarding the detention of Mayelín Carrasco?
Local authorities attempted to discredit Mayelín Carrasco by claiming that her protest was unacceptable and alleging that they had offered solutions to her situation, such as temporary housing and job opportunities, which she refused. Additionally, it was reported that she was "very regretful" for her actions, in a clear attempt to delegitimize her motives and justify her detention.
How has the international community reacted to the detention of Mayelín Carrasco?
The international community, particularly human rights groups, has condemned the detention of Mayelín Carrasco as a repressive act by the Cuban regime to silence voices of protest. It has been emphasized that these actions are part of a pattern of repression against those exercising their right to freedom of expression in Cuba.
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