Carlos Giménez responds to Díaz-Canel: "What happened in Morón will continue to happen."

Carlos Giménez and Miguel Díaz-CanelPhoto © Collage/X/Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez and Facebook/Presidencia Cuba

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Cuban-American Congressman Carlos Giménez reacted to the message posted by Miguel Díaz-Canel regarding the protests in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, and issued a stern warning to the Cuban leader: what happened in that city, he claimed, could happen again throughout the country.

Giménez responded directly in the comments to the post made by Díaz-Canel on the social media platform X following the disturbances in the municipality of Avileño.

"You henchmen of the dictatorship have plundered the Cuban people. Your incompetence, abuse, and immense corruption have destroyed Cuba. What happened in Morón will continue to be replicated in all the municipalities of the island. Get out before it’s too late. Homeland and Life!" wrote the congressman.

Capture of X/Rep. Carlos A. Giménez

The legislator's reaction comes after Díaz-Canel spoke out about the protests that took place on Friday night, when dozens of residents in Morón took to the streets with pots and pans and shouts of "Freedom!" to denounce the prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and the deterioration of living conditions.

In his message, the Cuban leader stated that he understands the public's frustration over the energy crisis, but issued a warning to those who participated in the disturbances.

"It is understandable the discomfort that prolonged blackouts cause in our people... And the complaints and demands are legitimate, as long as they are made with civility and respect for public order," he wrote. However, he added that "what will never be understandable, justifiable, or accepted is violence and vandalism," and assured that "there will be no impunity for vandalism and violence."

The protests in Morón occurred amid blackouts that exceed 20 hours a day in some areas of the country, alongside a deep economic crisis characterized by food shortages, inflation, and the deterioration of basic services.

Videos shared on social media show neighbors marching at night through various streets of the city while banging pots and chanting slogans against the regime. The images also capture calls for other residents to join the demonstration.

During the day, moments of high tension were reported. Reports circulated by independent journalists indicate that a young man was injured amid the disturbances, allegedly due to gunfire from the police, although there has been no official confirmation regarding this incident so far.

Images also circulated showing the fire at the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba, where protesters took out furniture and political propaganda to burn them in the street.

While the official press describes the events as "vandalistic acts" carried out by a small group, many Cubans on social media have interpreted what happened as an expression of the growing public frustration in the face of the crisis the country is experiencing.

In this context, Giménez's response adds to the international reactions that have emerged following the protests in Morón, an episode that once again highlights the climate of social tension on the island amid blackouts, shortages, and a deep economic crisis.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.