Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in the largest protests against Cuba’s communist government in decades. The demonstrations took place against the backdrop of one of the worst economic crises the country has faced and the fight against the growing number of COVID-19 cases.
Cuba is still suffering from the effects of the US trade embargo imposed decades ago and the more targeted sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which Biden left in place.
A senior State Department official, Julie Chang, tweeted her support for the protesters on Sunday, but her initial message that the anger in Cuba was only caused by «an increase in the number of cases and deaths from coronavirus» drew a quick rebuke from Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who is an influential figure in the Cuban-American community.
PHOTOS: Hundreds of vehicles snaked their way across Miami Sunday to support protesters in Cuba.
Police shut down SW 8th Street from 32nd Avenue to 37th Avenue as the crowds multiplied in front of Versailles Restaurant and Little Havana and Coral Gables.https://t.co/AicbLdj9xv pic.twitter.com/jw6ciyiDVh
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) July 12, 2021
Rubio called Chang’s first tweet «ridiculous,» emphasizing that the protests in Cuba «are not caused only by COVID,» and criticized President Joe Biden for his silence.
«It’s 22:15, and there’s still nothing from @JoeBiden,» he wrote.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel went on television to condemn the demonstrations and called on government supporters to «fight» those he called provocateurs.
After that, Chang wrote on social networks that the US government is » deeply concerned about calls for a fight in Cuba.»
«We support the right of the Cuban people to peaceful assembly,» she said.
«We call for calm and condemn any violence.»
Many members of Miami’s Cuban-American community and local residents also took to the streets of South Florida on Sunday to express solidarity with anti-government demonstrators.
We stand united with the Cuban people on the island and across our community at this historic moment in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and basic human rights – may their courageous actions bring about real change and move us closer to the dream of a free Cuba. #SOSCuba https://t.co/1YzrPd8UDF
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) July 11, 2021
«We are united with the Cuban people at this historic moment in the struggle for freedom, dignity and fundamental human rights,» Miami — Dade Mayor Daniella Levin Cava said on Twitter.
«Let their bold actions lead to real changes and bring us closer to the dream of a free Cuba.»
Cuban President Diaz-Canel, like his predecessors, blames Cuba’s economic crisis on US trade restrictions and sanctions. In his speech on Sunday, he accused the US authorities of inciting unrest in the country by spreading anti-government propaganda.
