As Cuba marks 31 years since the Maleconazo uprising and four years since the nationwide protests on July 11, 2021 (11J), a high-ranking official from the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) has sparked outrage on social media with statements deemed both cynical and blatantly untrue. Enrique Villuendas, a figure from the Ideological Department of the PCC's Central Committee, claimed on X, "On August 5, 1994, no shots were fired. On July 11, 2021, the same: it's called people, determination, and leadership. That's why #IStandWithMyPresident! #100YearsWithFidel." His comments have been widely criticized for downplaying the state repression that characterized both historic events.
Journalist and researcher José Raúl Gallego refuted Villuendas' assertions, highlighting the violence executed by the regime on these significant dates. Using documentation and evidence compiled by the data journalism project Inventario, Gallego systematically discredited the official's claims. "The person spreading these falsehoods is Enrique Villuendas, from the Central Committee's Ideological Department. On 11J, not only were there numerous shots fired at unarmed civilians, but there were also injuries and a fatality," Gallego pointed out.
Gallego specifically mentioned Diubis Laurencio Tejeda, a 36-year-old who was shot in the back during the 11J protests in La Güinera, Havana. This incident was perpetrated by a police officer using a standard-issue Makarov pistol, as reported by the Cuban Prosecutor's Office at the time. Although the crime was captured on video during the protest and corroborated by multiple sources, no independent investigation was permitted, nor was the officer's identity disclosed.
Furthermore, Gallego shared images of citizens wounded by rubber bullets and lethal projectiles fired by law enforcement and armed civilians associated with the Ministry of the Interior. Regarding the Maleconazo, Gallego noted that while video footage is scarce due to the era, there is ample testimony confirming police violence and the actions of the notorious Blas Roca Calderío shock troops used to suppress the protest. "Few videos exist from the Maleconazo, but there are clear evidences and testimonies of the brutality employed by police and shock groups...all for Fidel to perform his theater act," Gallego added, dismantling the official narrative that Fidel Castro's presence alone pacified the masses.
Villuendas' statements are viewed as part of a propaganda effort to sanitize the regime's image during sensitive historical milestones. Suseli Morfa, another official infamous for her ardent defense of the Havana regime, echoed Villuendas' sentiments, asserting on Tuesday that the government and Castro "crushed the counterrevolution at the Malecón." In contrast, numerous social media users have shared images, testimonies, and videos from 11J, which vividly depict the state's violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
Pictures of grieving mothers, young people being dragged by police, and citizens assaulted by mob forces starkly contradict the claim that "no shots were fired." In the aftermath of 11J, over 700 Cubans, predominantly young people, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Understanding the Maleconazo and July 11 Protests
What was the Maleconazo?
The Maleconazo was a significant social uprising in Cuba that occurred on August 5, 1994, characterized by protests against the government along Havana's Malecón. It was a reflection of widespread discontent with the economic and political conditions in the country.
What sparked the July 11, 2021, protests in Cuba?
The July 11, 2021, protests in Cuba were fueled by widespread frustration over economic hardships, food shortages, and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in decades.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
The Cuban government responded to the protests with a heavy hand, including police crackdowns, arrests, and in some cases, violence against demonstrators. Many were sentenced to long prison terms following the events.