On Friday night, the town of Morón was shaken by protests, with a group of residents creating a tense scene as they gathered in front of the police station, loudly chanting "Freedom" in the street.
A video circulating on social media captures young men and women, faces uncovered, boldly demanding their rights. Among them is a mother holding her young daughter, participating in the demonstration.
At the entrance of the police station, officers and other Ministry of the Interior personnel stood by, observing without intervening or leaving their posts.
The demonstrators engaged in a full-fledged "cacerolazo," banging pots and metal objects, chanting for liberty.
For several minutes, the protesters, showing no fear of revealing their identities, confronted the regime's officers, demanding freedom while the uniformed agents remained motionless.
The footage shared online was recorded by one of the demonstrators.
Widespread Unrest Across Morón
The confrontation at the police station was part of a broader protest that took place that night in the municipality of Morón.
Dozens took to the streets to protest ongoing blackouts, food shortages, and the severe economic crisis gripping the nation.
Videos on social media depict crowds marching through various parts of the city, repeatedly chanting "Freedom!" and banging pots and metal objects.
In one video, a voice can be heard live-streaming the event, encouraging others to join the demonstration.
"Come on, my people, share this live! Morón and Ciego de Ávila are out in the streets demanding freedom," the narrator urges.
According to the account, the march proceeded through several streets, eventually reaching the vicinity of the police unit.
"The people are tired of hunger, hardship, and darkness... It's over!" one protester declares as the march continues.
The slogan "Homeland and Life," which became a symbol of opposition following the national protests on July 11, 2021, was also chanted.
Images show many using their mobile phones' flashlights and motorcycle lights to illuminate the march amid power outages.
Communist Party Headquarters Set Ablaze Amid Shooting Reports
Tensions escalated when a group of residents set fire to the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
Independent journalist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez reported that a police officer allegedly fired his weapon, striking a young man in the thigh near a street bonfire in front of the party headquarters.
"The exact moment when, according to those present, a police officer fired his pistol, hitting a young man in the thigh who was standing around a bonfire in the street in front of the PCC headquarters," explained the journalist while sharing the video of the incident.
The footage shows several neighbors carrying the wounded young man away from the scene, trying to assist him.
Subsequent videos reveal protesters hurling flaming objects at the Party headquarters, eventually setting part of the building ablaze.
According to images shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón, some demonstrators managed to enter the building, removing furniture, paintings, and political propaganda materials.
The items were piled in the street, forming a large bonfire as shouts and slogans against the regime filled the air.
Internet Outages and Reports of Repression
The incidents unfolded amid an Internet service disruption in the area, hindering real-time information flow.
Journalists and activists reported that the connection outage coincided with reports of gunfire and the spread of images of the fire near the PCC headquarters.
Journalist José Raúl Gallego also reported that several bicycles used by police officers were burned during the unrest.
Reports further indicate that special forces deployed in the area released dogs on the protesters to disperse the crowd.
These accounts reveal that children and teenagers were among the protest participants.
The events reflect the deepening social unrest after years of economic crisis, prolonged power outages, food shortages, and a lack of freedoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Morón Protest
What sparked the protests in Morón?
The protests in Morón were ignited by discontent over blackouts, food shortages, and the ongoing economic crisis in Cuba.
How did the authorities respond to the protests?
Authorities stood by without immediate intervention during the protests, but there were reports of a police officer firing at a protester and special forces using dogs to disperse the crowd.