The photographer and Christian content creator Iván Daniel Calás Navarro published a video on Instagram in which he directly responded to the statements made by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel following the protests that took place this weekend in the city of Morón.
In his message, the young man questioned the leader's words, who hours earlier had stated that the complaints of the population are "legitimate" as long as they are expressed with civility and respect for public order.
Calás Navarro rejected that proposal and recalled historical episodes related to the very revolutionary movement that brought the current political system in Cuba to power.
“The complaints and claims are legitimate as long as they are made with civility and respect for order. As a Christian, I will never incite violence, but you cannot speak of violence,” the young man expressed in his video.
A direct critique of the official discourse
In his speech, the Christian creator directed part of his message to the new generations who, according to him, often remain unaware of certain episodes in Cuban history.
To illustrate his argument, he mentioned events that occurred before 1959, such as the assault on military barracks in 1953 and other episodes of violence linked to the struggle against the dictatorship of that time.
Calás Navarro stated that these events, attributed to "revolutionary" groups of the time, contradict the current government's rhetoric when it condemns protests or accuses demonstrators of acting violently.
"You have no moral authority to speak of civility or democracy," he affirmed.
The young man concluded his message by invoking his Christian faith and quoting a biblical verse.
"Let me conclude with the words of my Lord, who is not the Communist Party of Cuba, but Jesus Christ. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword," he said.
Protests, threats, and conflicting reports
The video by Calás Navarro was published a day after Miguel Díaz-Canel's statements regarding the protests that took place in Morón.
The leader stated that he understood the public's frustration over the blackouts, but insisted that protests would only be acceptable if they were conducted with civility and respect for public order.
At the same time, he issued a direct warning to those who participated in the protests. "There will be no impunity for vandalism and violence", he wrote.
His words came hours after a night of intense tensions in Morón.
Videos shared on the Internet showed groups of neighbors marching through the streets, banging pots and chanting slogans against the regime.
The protest also included clashes outside the Municipal headquarters of the Communist Party, where damage to the building was reported and a bonfire in the middle of the street.
One of the most shocking moments of the night was captured in a video showing a young man falling to the ground after a gunshot was heard near the Party building.
In the images, the boy is assisted by several protesters who carry him and place him on a motorcycle to take him to a hospital.
Although multiple reports on social media claim that he was struck by a police bullet, state media deny this version, stating that the young man was injured from a fall and that security forces never fired upon the protesters.
The same lies of the regime
Government-linked media have attempted to portray the events as isolated disturbances led by a small group of individuals allegedly manipulated from abroad.
However, the protests highlight the level of discontent present in the population.
Authorities also reported that at least five people were arrested following the riots.
Meanwhile, official profiles shared videos recorded in the early hours on empty streets to convey the image that the city had returned to normalcy.
The protest in Morón is part of a wave of demonstrations related to the worsening energy and economic crisis the country is experiencing, a situation in which more and more citizens are openly questioning the government's management.
In that context, social media has become one of the few spaces where citizens, activists, and content creators can publicly express their dissatisfaction with the situation in the country
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