Yesterday, Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla delivered an impactful speech during an urgent protest outside the Cuban Embassy in Madrid. The demonstration, attended by dozens of Cuban exiles, was organized under the banner "If Cuba is in the streets, so are we," in direct response to the violent crackdown the night before in Morón, Ciego de Ávila. Social media network Árbol Invertido documented the event live.
The protest took place at Paseo de La Habana 194, the site of the Cuban regime's diplomatic mission in Spain, and was scheduled for 5:00 PM after news broke of the serious incidents on March 13 in Morón. During a prolonged blackout, hundreds of locals took to the streets, shouting "Freedom!" and banging pots in protest.
Protesters attacked and set fire to the local Communist Party headquarters, destroying furniture, records, and police bicycles. At least five individuals were apprehended, and a young man—potentially 16 years old—was injured under disputed circumstances. A video captures the moment the youth was shot outside the police station.
During the Madrid protest, staff from the Cuban embassy openly recorded the attendees. Calzadilla turned this attempt at intimidation into a bold confrontation: "We will return to rebuild our nation, so keep filming, because these are the faces you will see on every street in Cuba."
Rejection of Submission and Call for Justice
In her speech, Calzadilla firmly rejected any stance of submission to the regime: "Freedom is not something we will beg for, because freedom is demanded standing tall, not out of anger. We are here asking for what is rightfully ours, what our people deserve, and what they have been fighting for years."
She also highlighted the unbreakable bond between exiles and those still in Cuba: "Those inside are our families, our friends. We've managed to escape the problem, but the problem does not escape us," she told the crowd at Paseo de La Habana.
Condemnation of Regime's Repressive Tactics
Calzadilla was candid about the regime's harsh response to popular protests: "While an unarmed, hungry, psychologically damaged people were asking for the most just thing—freedom—the regime responded with violence." The reported arrests following the Morón protests confirm this repressive pattern.
Born in Havana around 1991, Calzadilla gained attention in 2022 for publicly denouncing the gas shortage in her Cerro neighborhood, affecting 58 families. She emigrated to Spain in 2025 after facing pressure from the State Security and has since become one of the most vocal activists in the Cuban diaspora. Her journey is further detailed in a profile by CiberCuba published in 2022.
Context of Ongoing Cuban Protests
The Morón protests are part of a wave of mobilizations shaking Cuba in March 2026, driven by blackouts lasting up to 20 hours a day, severe food shortages, and an economic collapse worsened by the oil blockade imposed by the Trump administration in late 2025. In response, Miguel Díaz-Canel threatened protesters: "There will be no impunity for vandalism."
A new protest by Cuban exiles is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, in Madrid at Paseo de la Castellana 46, under the slogan "S.O.S. Cuba is dying."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Protests
What sparked the recent protests in Morón, Cuba?
The protests in Morón were triggered by a prolonged blackout, during which residents took to the streets to demand freedom, culminating in clashes with authorities.
Who is Amelia Calzadilla?
Amelia Calzadilla is a Cuban activist known for her outspoken criticism of the Cuban regime. She gained prominence in 2022 for highlighting the gas shortages affecting her neighborhood in Havana.
Why are Cuban exiles protesting in Madrid?
Cuban exiles are protesting in Madrid to show solidarity with those in Cuba facing repression and to call for freedom and democratic reforms.