Amid the charged atmosphere of recent protests in Morón, located in Ciego de Ávila province, a particularly intense moment was captured on video. It shows a young man pleading with another protester not to set the Cuban flag ablaze during the chaos outside the local headquarters of the Communist Party (PCC).
"Don't burn it, don't burn it, that's our freedom!" he cries out amidst the turmoil, as shouts of "Freedom!" and calls to set the building aflame echo around him.
The young man, holding the national emblem, which was reportedly taken from the PCC premises, then climbs a street post and waves the flag fervently, stirring the crowd's excitement even more.
This video, lasting approximately seven minutes, is one of many documenting the most intense moments of the protest that erupted Friday night and continued into Saturday morning. During this unrest, protesters set fire to the local PCC headquarters, escalating the already tense atmosphere.
Throughout the footage, chants against the government, heated exchanges among the crowd, and calls for continued action against the government building can be heard.
Protests Extend Beyond PCC Headquarters
The unrest in Morón wasn't confined to the PCC's doorstep. Other videos circulating on social media depict a group of citizens directly confronting the municipal police station, boldly chanting "Freedom!" in the street, a rare act of defiance against the authorities.
These clips show both young men and women openly protesting, banging pots and metal objects in a cacerolazo while shouting slogans against the regime.
Among the protesters, a mother with a small child in her arms is seen participating in the demonstration in front of the police building.
In the station's entrance, several police officers and members of the Ministry of the Interior stood observing, neither intervening nor moving from their posts.
For several minutes, these officers remained motionless as demonstrators continued to shout "Freedom!" and voice their discontent directly at them.
Conflicting Reports Surrounding Injuries
Reports on social media suggest that a 16-year-old boy was injured during the Morón events, which, if true, would mean a minor was involved. Despite a circulating video capturing the sound of a gunshot and the injured youth, Cuban officials have denied these claims.
Carlos Pérez's Facebook profile claimed the boy "led the disorder" and injured himself falling while trying to pull down a party sign.
State journalist Francisnet Díaz Rondón echoed this, stating that "no one was injured by gunfire" and shots were fired "in the air to disperse the gathering."
The official newspaper Vanguardia also maintained on social media platform X that no protesters were shot and the boy was injured due to a fall.
Yet, images from the scene show a shirtless, slender boy being urgently carried by several protesters, sparking skepticism about the official narrative among social media users.
Protests Highlight Larger Social Discontent
The events in Morón unfolded amid growing social unrest on the island, driven by prolonged power outages, food shortages, and worsening living conditions.
Additionally, reports surfaced of internet service disruptions and the burning of several bicycles used by police officers during the protests.
Social media videos further show residents marching through various city areas, joining in cacerolazos, and shouting "Freedom!"
Frequently Asked Questions About the Morón Protests
What sparked the protests in Morón?
The protests were fueled by rising social discontent due to long power outages, food scarcity, and declining living standards in Cuba.
Were there any injuries reported during the protests?
Social media reports suggest a 16-year-old boy was injured, though Cuban officials deny any injuries from gunfire, attributing his injury to a fall.
How did the authorities respond to the protesters in Morón?
Authorities observed the protests without intervening as demonstrators openly chanted and expressed their dissatisfaction directly in front of them.