The Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz visited the municipality of Gibara today, in the province of Holguín, the site of recent massive protests over blackouts, and participated in official activities alongside local authorities.
As a deputy for the coastal municipality, the head of Government toured economic and social facilities, as shown on his account on the social network X.
One of the stops was at the Caletones desalination plant, a project deemed of "high impact" for the local population and camping in the area.
He also visited a nursing home that houses 46 elderly adults.
Marrero spoke about "unity of the people," "popular participation," and "social responsibility of state entities," while emphasizing the need to diversify services in local camping to increase revenue.
Later, he participated in the Municipal Administration Council, accompanied by provincial leaders from Holguín, reported on his Facebook profile by the local telecenter Gibaravisión.
The visit occurs just two weeks after the protests on September 13 in Gibara, sparked by prolonged power outages and the lack of water in the community of El Güirito.
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, at least 27 people have been detained following the demonstration, of which four remain incarcerated and the others are under strict surveillance.
The OCDH reported that "Gibara is under terror" following the wave of repression after the peaceful protests.
On its part, the project Cuban Repressors, from the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FDHC), included two citizens from Holguín in its list of collaborators of the Political Police, after being accused of recording and informing on demonstrators who took to the streets in Gibara.
The regime has tried to downplay what happened. The official newspaper Granma stated that "there were no violent incidents" and that the conflict was resolved through "frank dialogue" with the population.
Frequently asked questions about Marrero Cruz's visit to Gibara and the recent protests
Why did Manuel Marrero Cruz visit the municipality of Gibara?
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz visited Gibara following the mass protests that occurred in the municipality due to power outages and water shortages. His visit included tours of economic and social facilities and was framed as an attempt to demonstrate the government's commitment to the affected population. However, his presence also aimed to ease social discontent following the demonstrations.
What triggered the protests in Gibara?
The protests in Gibara were mainly triggered by prolonged blackouts and water shortages in the El Güirito area. The critical situation regarding electricity and water supply caused significant discomfort among the residents, who took to the streets to demand immediate solutions to these basic issues.
How many people were arrested after the protests in Gibara?
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, at least 27 people were detained following the protests in Gibara. Of these, four remain incarcerated, while the others were released on bail but remain under strict surveillance. The repression following the protests has been condemned by several human rights organizations.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests in Gibara?
The Cuban government has attempted to downplay the events, claiming that there were no violent incidents and that the conflict was resolved through dialogue. However, this narrative has been contradicted by videos and testimonies showing arrests and police repression. The regime has been criticized for its propaganda strategy to conceal the effective repression that took place.
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