Cuba: after the protests, the population rejects the violence

The authorities insist on the acts of vandalism and the clashes, but the violence has spread everywhere: law enforcement, demonstrators and government supporters.

YAMIL LAGE AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

One death, dozens injured and hundreds of arrests in Cuba almost a week after the historic protests that rocked the country, the Cuban president continues to blame the United States.

“They failed in their plan,” said Miguel Diaz Canel.

The demonstrations of July 11 largely surprised the authorities, who have since tried to calm the spirits and also mobilize their support.

On the side of the population, the deployment of security forces in the streets worries.

In Havana, the rejection of violence during these protests is massive.

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in Havana

,

Domitille Piron

Who struck first during

the protests

?

The question divides and for those who did not go out in the street on July 11, like Daymi, the rejection of violence by the demonstrators is total: “ 

All these young people in their twenties have created a lot of problems so necessarily the police had to stop them and take them away, because they are causing disturbances to public order!

There were people who weren't there to demonstrate! 

"

The authorities insist on the acts of vandalism and the clashes, but the violence came from all sides: from the police, protesters and government supporters, whom President Miguel Diaz Canel called on to take to the streets this that day.

Yunior Garcia considers this call as an incitement to violence against the demonstrators: " 

The call to combat launched by Diaz-Canel is the most irresponsible act that a politician could commit in such a situation: no one will forget this call for violence that he launched in the midst of a critical situation. 

"

Fear of violence and law enforcement

Cubans see a before and after July 11, and they hope for change and debate with the state.

Jorge Avila pleads for dialogue: “ 

There are many problems in the country that must be resolved, but if we are heading for a confrontation between each other, I am not!

Violence is the daughter of ignorance and it will lead nowhere.

Now people are afraid, even if we know very well that change is necessary, violence is scary. 

"

Fear of clashes and of the police who are not used to dealing with demonstrations of this kind in Cuba. 

To read: Cuba: the announced economic measure does not satisfy social discontent

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Cuba

  • Miguel Díaz-Canel

On the same subject

Interview

"Now Cubans feel able to face the authorities"

Cuba: the authorities are trying to coax an uplifted population