Workers with paint buckets and brushes in hand covered up a protest message written on the outer wall of a medical office in the La Hata neighborhood of the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa.
The phrase, which read “Down with the dictatorship. Díaz-Canel singao”, was quickly covered with a layer of light blue paint, in what appears to be an action aimed at erasing any visible traces of dissent in public spaces.
The images of the moment were released by the independent media 14ymedio and show several men carrying out the task under the watchful eyes of other residents in the area. The scene is not new, but it is revealing of the control that the regime seeks to exert over spontaneous expressions of popular discontent.
The poster was shared on social media by the Cuban academic and journalist José Raúl Gallego, who accurately identified the location: the medical post located on Concha Street, at the corner of 20th Street, on the way up to the special school 28 de Enero.
According to Gallego, this is an area with a strong military presence, as many of the surrounding buildings are intended for officers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR).
The phrase written in black letters not only denounced the Cuban political system as a dictatorship, but also included the expression “Díaz-Canel singao”, a slogan that became popular during the social uprising on July 11, 2021, and has since been replicated as a symbol of social rejection towards the Cuban leader.
This type of messaging has been on the rise in recent years, especially due to the worsening economic crisis, blackouts, repression, and unpopular measures such as the recent increase in ETECSA rates.
Similar graffiti has appeared in other parts of the country, such as the Playa municipality in Havana or a central corner in Sancti Spíritus, and they are almost always removed by the authorities within hours.
Despite this, activists and citizens manage to capture photos and videos before they disappear, providing evidence of a protest that, although brief, challenges state control over public discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Expressions of Discontent in Cuba
Why was the message against Díaz-Canel covered up in Havana?
The message was covered as part of an effort by the Cuban regime to erase any visible traces of dissent in the public space. This action aims to control spontaneous expressions of popular discontent and prevent symbolic protests from spreading on the streets of Cuba.
What does the phrase “Díaz-Canel singao” symbolize in the Cuban protests?
The phrase has become popular as a symbol of social rejection towards the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. Its origin is linked to a song by the rapper Aldo el Aldeano, and since the protests on July 11, 2021, it has been widely used to express popular discontent with the political system in Cuba.
How does the Cuban government respond to protest graffiti and murals?
The Cuban government typically reacts quickly by deleting messages and deploying security operations to identify the authors. This response includes the dispatch of police experts and personnel from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) to collect fingerprints and track down those responsible, in order to suppress these expressions of discontent.
Why have protest messages increased in Cuba in recent years?
The rise of these messages is due to the worsening of the economic crisis, power outages, and unpopular government measures, such as the increase in ETECSA rates. These factors have intensified public discontent, prompting citizens to express their frustration through symbolic means such as graffiti in public spaces.
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