In response to a large-scale protest in Río Cauto on Friday, the Granma government organized a modest agricultural fair. The protests erupted as hundreds took to the streets demanding the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother of three who was detained after publicly criticizing the severe shortages and hunger plaguing her community.
The government announced on social media, "An Integral Fair is underway in the Bosque area of Río Cauto, where production bases, the UEB of Commerce and Gastronomy, Calisur, along with the private sector, offer a variety of products." Images from the event show trucks carrying bananas and stalls selling rice, peas, cornmeal, and a few other goods. This is a typical tactic used by the regime to try to calm public dissatisfaction and project an image of normalcy while exploiting one of the Cubans' most pressing needs: food.
On that same Friday night, following the public demonstration, local authorities shared images of empty streets, asserting, "Let's remember that peace and tranquility reflect our strength as a people."
During the protest, mostly local residents chanted slogans like "Freedom for Mayelín" and displayed signs of support, while others banged pots. Mayelín Carrasco, aged 47, had been arrested on Thursday after openly criticizing the lack of essential food items such as milk and eggs and the scarcity of basic cooking resources. Footage from the protest showed tense moments as residents confronted regime forces directly.
The crowd demanded answers from a police line that included high-ranking officers from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), as well as plainclothes agents recording the protesters with their phones.
In the midst of the unrest, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the Party in Granma, attempted to appeal to collective sacrifice while justifying the crackdown. She told protesters that the revolution would not take away anything it has provided, citing "electricity" as one of those benefits. The official warned against further expressions of dissent in the area, saying, "That's why I can't allow anyone here to protest or talk to those they don't know."
Key Questions on the Río Cauto Protests
Why were residents protesting in Río Cauto?
Residents were protesting to demand the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, who was detained after publicly denouncing extreme food shortages and hunger in her community.
What actions did the Cuban government take following the protests?
In response to the protests, the government organized an agricultural fair in Río Cauto, offering various food products to the residents, in an attempt to calm public dissatisfaction.
Who is Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez?
Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez is a mother of three who was arrested for publicly criticizing the severe food shortages and lack of basic resources in her community.