The traditional invasion of the conga "Los Hoyos" in Santiago de Cuba ended marked by a strong police presence, repression, and fear.
According to reports from journalist Mayeta on social media, what was supposed to be a cultural and popular celebration turned into a monitored, intervened, and tense event, where the music was surrounded by special troops, patrols, and agents from the Ministry of the Interior.
In a series of posts accompanied by videos, the independent journalist reported how the repressive forces of the Cuban regime took control of the event from its earliest hours.
“Police repression takes hold of the Invasion at Conga Los Hoyos,” wrote, showcasing images of troop deployment and systematic surveillance at the main corners along the route.
The people enjoy, but under surveillance, Mayeta stated, while pointing out the presence of patrols and undercover agents monitoring every movement.
"It's no longer a party; it's an operation with music," commented a resident interviewed in one of the publications.
In a second video, Mayeta emphasized that there were “more police than dancers” in the conga, a tradition that typically traverses entire neighborhoods as a prelude to the Rumbón Mayor or Carnaval Santiaguero.
This time, the event was "guarded, intervened, and overshadowed by a disproportionate police presence."
Witnesses reported episodes of violence: young people beaten, women pushed, cell phones snatched, and expressions marked by fear.
"Violence made no distinctions," affirmed the journalist, as he gathered testimonies from musicians who, speaking anonymously, expressed feeling pressured: "We no longer play with joy; we play looking over our shoulders."
In a third post, Mayeta documented one of the most serious incidents: a brutal beating of a young man by agents of the Ministry of the Interior on Trocha Street, in front of multi-family buildings.
The neighbors, from their balconies, shouted desperately in an attempt to stop the assault: “Don’t hit him! Let him go! Enough already!”
The repression, it was reported, was not limited to police control, as there were also reports of clashes with knives, thefts of phones, and detentions without explanations or due process guarantees, all while the official media maintained silence.
"The true invasion was that of fear," concluded the journalist, stating that the popular joy has been kidnapped by the repressive apparatus of the regime, which transforms every expression of culture into a demonstration of strength.
The traditional invasions of the Santiago congas, a form of "safety valve" for discontent, include a series of coritos in which, spontaneously, the population criticizes the regime.
This detail, combined with the enormous gathering of people, leads the regime to closely monitor this cultural manifestation which, in an instant, could turn into a massive popular protest.
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