The Cuban regime continues to deny that a protester was shot during the protests that took place on Friday night in Morón, Ciego de Ávila.
In recent hours, a new official version of the events has been released, while on social media videos appear to show the exact moment of the alleged shooting.
According to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the young man who was injured during the disturbances is said to have fallen “while intoxicated” and is currently receiving medical care at the Roberto Rodríguez General Hospital in Morón.
However, that explanation contrasts with the images circulated online, which show a young man collapsing after what appears to be a gunshot is heard in front of the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
They have identified the teenager
The official narrative was reinforced by profiles linked to the regime's propaganda apparatus, which identified the young man on social media.
The official pro-government Facebook profile Alejandro Noticias reported that the injured party is named Kevin Samuel Echeverría Rodríguez and is 16 years old.
In a post filled with insults towards the protesters, the profile stated:
"During the VANDALIC incidents that took place at the headquarters of the Municipal Committee of the Party (...) one of the vandals named KEVIN SAMUEL ECHEVERRÍA RODRÍGUEZ accidentally fell from the eaves of the building while throwing materials and state property for others to burn."
The same message insists on denying that there were shots fired at protesters.
“The alleged shot was only seen by the ANORMAL who was recording the video. Because as can be seen, no one dispersed,” adds the official source.
According to that version, the teenager “suffered no health issues” beyond “mild bruises from the fall” and is currently in custody of the authorities.
The publication also emphasized that the young man is already criminally responsible, citing the Cuban Penal Code:
"Legal experts reiterate that the VÁNDALO is 16 years old, an age at which, according to the current Cuban Penal Code, he acquires criminal responsibility."
The message concludes with a punitive call: "LET THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE LAW FALL ON THOSE DELINQUENTS."
The video that contradicts the official version
The explanation shared by official sources contrasts with a video, about seven minutes long, that is widely circulating on social media and captures the most tense moments of the protests outside the PCC headquarters in Morón.
The recording shows a young man standing very close to the building's door when a gunshot is heard clearly.
The moment occurs around the 5:02 mark of the video.
After the loud noise, the boy struggles to move a few meters and collapses onto the sidewalk.
Several people nearby immediately rush to help him.
In the images, you can also hear the reaction of the person who was recording: “They hit him. Look, they shot one, and then they say they don’t shoot.”
Seconds later, a group of protesters lifts the injured young man and puts him onto a motorcycle to take him to a hospital.
In the video, a slender boy is seen wearing dark shorts and with his torso exposed—he had a sweater tied around his head—at the moment he is struck, apparently on the thigh.
Despite the audiovisual evidence circulating on the internet, various media outlets and spokespersons linked to the regime have insisted on denying that shots were fired at protesters.
Protests amid the crisis
Reports about the injured young man emerged following the protests that took place on Friday night in Morón, where residents took to the streets to express their discontent over prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and the deep economic crisis facing the country.
Videos shared on social media show residents marching through various areas of the city while chanting "Freedom!" and holding pot-banging protests.
During the riots, as shown in various recordings, the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party was set on fire, and several bicycles used by police officers were also burned.
Another video shows that the protest later moved to the police station, where women and young people stood in front of the building while chanting "Freedom!" once again.
The protests are occurring amid increasing social unrest on the island, characterized by prolonged blackouts, shortages of basic goods, and a general deterioration of living conditions.
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