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While the regime tried to dress up the 26th of July, one of its most sacred dates, the streets answered with a chilling question: "Blood or what?". This was the message painted in giant red letters on the perimeter wall of School 70, located on René Ramos Avenue, in the heart of Reparto Los Olmos, in Santiago de Cuba.
The phrase, written in the early morning hours, surprised neighbors and passersby who began sharing images of the sign from the early hours of the day, said independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The emergence of the poster, Mayeta Labrada notes, also occurs amid significant militarization in Santiago de Cuba, characterized by power outages, extreme surveillance, food shortages, and an official discourse that is increasingly disconnected from everyday suffering.
Hours later, workers sent by the authorities began to cover the sign with brushes and yellow paint, in an attempt to silence what had already been stated: the people are tired.
It is not the first time that the eastern city has become the epicenter of popular discontent. Just on July 17, a banner with the phrase “DOWN WITH COMMUNISM” appeared in another area of Santiago as part of the urban protest known as “Paint your piece”, which aims to denounce the crisis and repression through graffiti in public spaces.
And in March of this same year, the MININT launched a strong operation in the town of El Oasis following the appearance of messages such as “How long without a home” and “Down with the dictatorship”. The walls became uncomfortable witnesses to a truth that cannot be contained in official speeches.
From Matanzas to Artemisa, passing through Centro Habana and Camajuaní, the people have found in painting a language of resistance. Phrases such as "Díaz-Canel singao," "Freedom," or "Raúl singao" have multiplied on walls and corners, and although many are quickly erased, their echoes resonate in the collective memory.
Frequently asked questions about the rising wave of protests in Cuba
What does the sign "Blood or what?" mean in Santiago de Cuba?
The poster "Blood or What?" appeared in Santiago de Cuba on the perimeter wall of School 70, and it is an expression of popular discontent with the Cuban regime. This spray-painted message emerged amid an intense militarization, power outages, and food shortages in the region, reflecting the population's frustration.
What is the "Pinta tu pedacito" initiative in Cuba?
"Paint Your Little Piece" is an urban protest initiative in Cuba that aims to highlight the rejection of the communist regime through direct messages painted in public spaces. These graffiti serve as a form of civil disobedience that challenges the surveillance and repression of the Cuban government.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to the anti-government posters?
The Cuban regime has responded quickly to the anti-government posters with repressive actions. The authorities often erase the graffiti within hours and deploy police operations to identify the authors. Despite this, images of the posters tend to spread widely on social media.
What other protest messages have appeared in Cuba recently?
Recently, in various regions of Cuba, messages such as "Down with communism," "Freedom," and "Díaz-Canel you bastard" have appeared. These graffiti have been seen in places like Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Sancti Spíritus, reflecting the growing popular discontent with the regime and the economic situation.
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