Following a night filled with protests, banging pots, and clashes in the Morón municipality of Ciego de Ávila, government-affiliated individuals began posting on social media, aiming to project an image of calm and normalcy in the area.
A notable post came from Alejandro Cosme Quiñones of the local Culture Directorate, who shared a video on Facebook from inside a vehicle as he drove through the city. In the early morning hours, the official declared, "We are broadcasting live, it is exactly 2:09, and as you can see, the municipality of Morón is completely at peace."
The footage shows an empty road, devoid of any pedestrians.
Contrasting Narratives of Unrest
These messages starkly contradict the numerous videos, eyewitness accounts, and reports that flooded social media, documenting citizen protests, anti-government chants, and various incidents around the city.
This type of messaging is a common tactic of the Cuban regime's propaganda machine: showing empty streets after protests have subsided to suggest that nothing significant occurred or that everything was under control.
Meanwhile, reports of repression, gunfire, and confrontations during the demonstrations continue to circulate.
Official Stance: Downplaying the Events
As social media buzzed with protest videos, state media attempted to frame the events as isolated disturbances or acts of vandalism by a small group of individuals.
The Communist Party's provincial newspaper, Invasor, released a statement describing the events as "disorder" caused by manipulated individuals. "Attention, Ciego de Ávila! Attention, Cuba!" the state media declared, claiming the city experienced a now-controlled "disorder" when a "manipulated and guided" group vandalized the Municipal Party Committee's headquarters.
According to this narrative, the young man seen injured in widely shared videos was not a victim of repression but one of the participants in the chaos. "Ironically, the young man now being portrayed as a 'victim' was one of the leaders of the disorder," the publication stated.
The newspaper even suggested that his injury was not from a gunshot but from a fall. "While attempting to tear down the Party's sign, he fell and was taken to the hospital by his companions on a motorbike," it reported.
In their narrative, the events were orchestrated for propaganda purposes. "This was not spontaneous. The images clearly show it was orchestrated… aiming for a spectacle to be exploited from abroad."
Alternative Official Explanation: "Vandalism"
Similar rhetoric came from state journalist Francisnet Díaz Rondón, who described the protests as disturbances sparked by a minor group. According to his account, the mobilization began with grievances related to the nation's crisis.
He acknowledged the protest initially unfolded peacefully. "What initially transpired peacefully… devolved into vandalism against the Municipal Party Committee's headquarters."
Díaz Rondón also reported damage to other establishments, including a pharmacy and a Caribe Stores outlet, and confirmed that five individuals had been arrested by the time of his report.
Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Different Picture
Videos circulating online tell another story. One widely shared video shows several protesters carrying a seemingly injured young man, trying to rush him to medical help on a motorcycle. In the footage, cries from those attempting to assist him can be heard.
Activist Magdiel Castro shared these images on X, warning of the severity of the situation. "Images of the gunshot victim during the Morón protests… reports suggest he is a minor. Awaiting confirmation," he wrote.
Independent journalist José Raúl Gallego claimed on Facebook that the young man was shot by a police officer, with the bullet hitting his thigh near a bonfire outside the municipal Party headquarters.
Gallego also reported the local Party office was set ablaze during the unrest, and several police bicycles were torched. He noted that among the protesters were children and teenagers.
There are further allegations that special forces unleashed dogs to disperse the protesters.
A Nation's Growing Desperation
The protests in Morón occurred amidst a severe economic and energy crisis gripping Cuba. In recent months, complaints have surged over prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and worsening living conditions.
During the night of the protests, videos surfaced of pots clanging and chants of "Freedom!" as groups of residents took to the streets. Other reports suggest the protests later moved toward the city's police station.
In this context, the regime's attempts to showcase empty streets or declarations of "peace" are part of a strategy to downplay the extent of social discontent and deny the magnitude of the protests.
Understanding the Morón Protests
What triggered the protests in Morón?
The protests in Morón were triggered by grievances related to Cuba's economic and energy crisis, including prolonged blackouts and food shortages.
How did the Cuban government respond to the protests?
The Cuban government attempted to downplay the protests, describing them as isolated disturbances or acts of vandalism by a small group, while projecting an image of calm and control.
Were there any injuries reported during the protests?
Yes, videos show an apparently injured young man being carried by protesters. There are reports that he may have been shot by a police officer, although the government claims his injury was due to a fall.