Several posters with dissenting messages appeared this Friday in the Havana municipality of Regla, as evidenced on social media by the profile of La Tijera.
The phrases “Until when” and “They are killing us” were written on walls near the headquarters of the People's Power in Regla and express the frustration of the population over the structural crisis being experienced in Cuba.
The regime, which is focused on repressing any expression of dissent, detained the author of the posters, as confirmed by an internet user in the comments section.
“And they immediately apprehended the person who posted it because it was just a block from my house. Even forensics was there, if it's someone robbing your house they show up the next day. This town is upside down; after all, he didn't say anything that wasn't true,” wrote a resident in Regla.
Dozens of Cubans applauded the bravery of the person who painted the phrases and agreed that everyone was being starved and subjected to prolonged blackouts that never seem to end.
“That is my municipality, it is not afraid, it has never been, more can be done, without fear and with intelligence,” a woman stated.
Another claimed that no one was harmed by asking, “How long?” “How long do we have to endure the lack of electricity; how long do I have to keep carrying water; how long will my salary not be enough to support my daughter? And so on, and so forth. How long?”
The emergence of these anti-government expressions, which are becoming increasingly frequent in different regions of Cuba, was recently highlighted by the appearance of posters in Santiago de Cuba calling for the release of political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer.
A graffiti featuring the phrase “Down with the dictatorship. Díaz-Canel singao” appeared this week on the exterior wall of a medical office in the La Hata neighborhood of the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, as a new expression of popular discontent against the Cuban ruler and the prevailing political system on the island.
Another instance with the phrase “Down with the dictatorship” appeared in one of the busiest areas of Sancti Spíritus, which caused a great stir on social media and among the passersby who witnessed the scene before it was erased by agents from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
The speed with which Cuban authorities intervened to erase the sign reflects the regime's sensitivity to any public manifestation of dissent. These acts of protest are viewed as a threat by the government, which responds with surveillance and repression to prevent discontent from spreading.
Popular discontent in Cuba has been expressed through anti-government posters and protests in various regions of the country. Recent examples include posters in Santiago de Cuba demanding the freedom of political prisoners and protests in Granma against blackouts and the shortage of basic resources. These actions reflect the growing frustration of the population with the regime.
Frequently asked questions about anti-government posters in Cuba
What messages appeared on the posters in Regla, Havana?
The posters in Regla, Havana, featured phrases such as “How long” and “They are killing us,” expressing the public's dissatisfaction with the current situation in Cuba. These messages reflect the population's frustration with the structural crisis in the country.
How does the Cuban government react to these expressions of discontent?
The Cuban government quickly responds to these public displays of discontent by detaining the perpetrators, removing the posters, and increasing surveillance. This response reflects the regime's sensitivity to any sign of dissent.
What is the context of the protests with signs in Cuba?
Antigovernment protests with signs have become more common in Cuba due to the economic crisis, blackouts, repression, and unpopular measures such as the increase in ETECSA rates. These demonstrations reflect a growing public discontent with the Cuban regime.
Why are graffiti considered an act of symbolic resistance?
Anti-government graffiti in Cuba is seen as acts of symbolic resistance because they challenge state control over public expression and reflect the population's desire for freedom and change, despite the climate of repression and censorship.
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