A Cuban mother of three was forcefully detained on Wednesday morning while staging a solo protest at "Ángel Fría" square in the Granma municipality of Río Cauto. When urged to step down from the platform, she defiantly replied, "I'll leave when the police come to get me."
"Do you know why I'm doing this? Because I have three children. Look, there they are," she added, pointing towards a corner. "Just because I surrender doesn't mean they'll change my mind," she asserted at another point.
She questioned, "Where is the Revolution that Fidel left? Where is the revolution that Raúl left? There is no revolution because everything has fallen apart. And while I won't blame President Canel, who should I hold accountable?"
A witness shared two videos on a local Facebook group named Revolico, stating that the woman is a resident of Guamo Viejo in the municipality. "She came to demand solutions to the problems we're facing, and as someone with a mother, I am against this mistreatment," commented the user, urging others to spread the footage.
The video shows dozens of onlookers witnessing the scene without engaging with the protester, who was eventually forcefully removed from the platform. Her resistance prompted support from the crowd, who loudly shouted, "Let her go!" and "Abusers!" among other similar cries.
Many internet users praised the courage of this Cuban mother while expressing disappointment that no one joined her protest. Comments included, "The desperation of a mother who doesn't know what else to do for her children. What an outrage, God!"; "Where are the brave ones? Where is the whole struggling population that couldn't defend this woman?"; "She dared to speak out because she can't take it anymore, showing a bravery many lack," and "How cowardly of those who only recorded instead of defending her."
Other comments read, "Shame on them for treating a woman, especially a tired mother, like that"; "The entire population is desperate, yet only one lady dared to express it"; "My respects to her, a woman with more courage than all those watching without acting."
One commenter lamented, "This is what awaits us mothers: the pain of seeing our children cry from hunger and being powerless to act." Another Cuban concluded, "If those shouting 'Let her go!' had truly united, no one could have taken her away."
Official Reaction
Recently, official sources have circulated images of the location where the incident took place, seemingly aiming to demonstrate that the area has been cleared. They have compulsively referenced past events held in the square to highlight its intended purpose. "Beautiful images witnessed by our Ángel Fría Cultural Plaza, a place for fun and full enjoyment," posted the Río Cauto Culture Communicator page on Facebook.
As of the closing of this report, no further details have emerged about what happened to this Cuban mother following her arrest.
Key Questions About the Granma Protest Incident
What prompted the Cuban mother to protest in Granma?
The mother protested due to the dire conditions affecting her and her three children, expressing frustration with the current state of the Cuban Revolution.
How did the public react to the protest in Granma?
The public largely watched without intervening, though they vocally supported the woman once she was forcibly removed, shouting phrases like "Let her go!"
What has been the official response to the incident?
Official sources have shared images to show that the square was cleared, emphasizing its role as a cultural and recreational space.