Residents of Guamo Viejo, a small rural community with approximately 600 people in Río Cauto, Granma, took to the streets on Friday to demand the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez. This mother of three was detained earlier this week after she spoke out about the severe hunger and shortages plaguing the area.
In a brief 30-second video shared on social media by José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), chants of "Freedom for Mayelín" and other frustrations can be heard. The video shows locals holding signs and making noise with cans, all in support of Carrasco Álvarez. After fainting during a police interrogation related to her peaceful protest at Río Cauto's Ángel Fría Square, Carrasco Álvarez was taken to a hospital and then moved to Bayamo on Thursday.
At 47 years old, Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother of three, openly criticized the removal of basic food supplies like milk and eggs, as well as the absence of alcohol and cooking fuel. She expressed disillusionment, stating that everything has "fallen apart," referring to what she termed the "revolution of Fidel and Raúl."
The local government in Río Cauto denied abandoning her, claiming they provided a "temporary" home made of "wood and zinc," offered her three state jobs, which she declined, and allocated a hectare of land that she never signed for. However, they failed to mention that the state job salaries were insufficient for survival and that she had no access to farming tools for the land supposedly given to her.
Carrasco Álvarez staged her protest in Ángel Fría Square, in front of a group of locals, mostly men, who did not join her demonstration. It was only when political police and a senior Communist Party official forcibly took her away that the crowd shouted, "Release her, you abusers."
Now, the residents of Guamo Viejo, with nothing left to lose, have taken to the streets demanding Carrasco's release. Her close circle fears she may be labeled as mentally unstable to discredit her protest as a result of mental illness rather than a legitimate exercise of her civil rights.
José Daniel Ferrer has been closely following Mayelín Carrasco's case and is urging Cubans to support her, emphasizing that she has committed no crime. Indeed, she herself made it clear during her protest that she was "claiming her rights."
Key Questions About the Mayelín Carrasco Protest
Why was Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez detained?
Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez was detained after publicly denouncing the severe hunger and shortages in her area, which she attributed to the failures of the Cuban government.
What did the local government offer Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez?
The local government claims to have offered her a temporary home, three state jobs, and a hectare of land, but these offers were inadequate for her survival.
How have the residents of Guamo Viejo responded?
Residents of Guamo Viejo have protested in the streets, demanding Carrasco’s release and showing support for her cause.