Cubans report detentions following nighttime protests in Morón; authorities report five arrests

While Cuban authorities reported that at least five people were detained following the protests that occurred on the night of March 13 in the city of Morón, Ciego de Ávila, activists and users on social media are attempting to highlight the faces of the victims of repression and demand their immediate release.

The page Political Prisoners of Cuba and other users mentioned among the possible detainees Catherine Gutiérrez Sánchez (a woman who is the mother of two children); Kevin Samuel Echeverría, a 15-year-old minor; and a young man identified as Bryan PM. Other posts also indicated the alleged detention of another young Cuban, Vladimir Ortiz Ortiz.

So far, Cuban authorities have not officially confirmed these identities, and the allegations have not been independently verified.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and published by the official newspaper Invasor, a group of people —mostly residents of the El Vaquerito neighborhood— took to the streets around midnight to protest mainly against the power outages and food shortages.

Authorities indicated that the demonstration began peacefully and that an initial exchange took place between the protesters and local officials. However, the MININT stated that "vandalistic acts" occurred later against the headquarters of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party, where a small group of individuals allegedly threw stones at the entrance of the building and set public furniture from the reception on fire.

According to information from MININT, five people were detained at the time the report was closed, although their identities were not disclosed. Additionally, authorities indicated that another person, who was allegedly intoxicated, fell and was transferred to the Roberto Rodríguez General Hospital in Morón.

The protests in Morón occurred amid prolonged blackouts and a growing shortage of food and basic products affecting the population in different regions of Cuba.

Videos and reports shared on social media during the night showed residents walking through several streets of the city and chanting slogans while expressing their dissatisfaction with the economic and energy situation.

The forces of the Ministry of the Interior stated that investigations are ongoing to clarify what happened. Meanwhile, activists and social media users continue to call attention to potential arrests related to the protests.