"Counter-revolutionary elements" that attempted to "destabilize this territory" and "were once again crushed," is how Julio Gómez Casanova, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Ciego de Ávila, referred to the demonstrators during the intense protests on Friday night in Morón.
“We are on the streets of Morón. Complete tranquility and normality,” expressed the leader in a live video broadcasted on FB on Saturday night, a day after the popular uprising; but he added immediately, “Of course, the Revolutionary Forces are on the streets.”
As is customary in the official discourse of Cuban politicians, Gómez Casanova attributed the origin of the protests to other "elements" (always in a derogatory and dehumanizing tone) that respond to the interests of the U.S., to the "anti-Cuban mafia," without dedicating a second of his broadcast to the responsibility of the government of the island in the widespread deterioration of living conditions that has driven the population to the streets in several provinces for over a week.
During the video, recorded in a public space, and in which he was seen being guarded by several men, he stated that the armed forces remain deployed in the territory "monitoring and protecting the revolution."
In the comments, some forum users questioned: "What revolution, what government needs to protect itself from its people like this?"
The leader also reported that several of the participants in the revolt were arrested because, according to his account, “they vandalized a number of institutions” and exhibited violent behavior. He added that some were “in a state of intoxication.” So far, the regime has confirmed one injured and five detained during the protest.
The broadcast by Gómez Casanova was not without the veiled threat that "the truth about everything that happened in Morón" would be revealed very soon, based on the "investigative work" that the authorities are already conducting.
The "investigation methods" used by State Security, Cuba's political police, and their network of informants in the country are sadly well known for targeting and blaming individuals following any public display of opposition, disregarding basic legal procedures and human rights guarantees.
The post triggered multiple reactions among social media users. Some comments supported the official narrative with slogans like “#CubaEstáFirme” or “Homeland or death,” while the majority criticized the version presented in the video.
Independent journalist José Raúl Gallego wrote: “What a sad role you are playing… Bands of informants patrolling the streets, guarded by police, acting against their own neighbors.”
The intense protests recorded in Morón from Friday night to Saturday morning add to those that have been taking place in various parts of the country by frustrated citizens of the crisis, which prevents them from accessing basic resources and services such as electricity, food, water, and transportation. A sustained demand has also been the opening of the country to individual freedoms and democracy, beyond economic hardship.
The Cuban regime has responded with threats and acts of “revolutionary reaffirmation” that attract very little participation now.
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