HAVANA.- The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC) recorded 671 protests and public complaints in Cuba during the recently concluded month of June. Repression continues to be the main response of the Government, which is facing growing popular discontent. Although 45 fewer protests were recorded than in May, a high frequency of demonstrations with a defiant character and in search of basic freedoms was maintained.
Repression and civil and political rights were the most prominent categories with 125 repressive acts recorded in the reportThese included arbitrary arrests, harassment of activists and opponents, and harassment of political prisoners and their families. Numerous examples of physical violence against activists and opponents were documented, as well as prison sentences for expressing dissent, the website reported. CubaNet.
Protests over public services totalled 109, with electricity and water issues being the most prominent. The energy situation worsened in the middle of the month, reflected in prolonged power outages. The lack of running water led to roadblocks and demonstrations in several towns. In Mayarí, for example, residents suffered an unprecedented water supply crisis.
The OCC recorded 102 protests related to public insecurity, including reports of missing persons and homicides. Violence at street parties and other social events resulted in several deaths and injuries.
101 protests related to public health were reported, mostly due to the spread of Oropouche fever, transmitted by the Culex mosquito. The lack of resources for vector control and the shortage of medicines exacerbated the health crisis.
There were 87 protests in the food, inflation and agriculture category. Uncontrolled inflation and food shortages led UNICEF to include Cuban children among those suffering from severe food poverty. The prices of basic foods are unaffordable for a large part of the population, which causes situations of extreme poverty and malnutrition.
The OCC reported an increase in begging, child labor, extreme poverty and suicides among military service recruits. The energy and food crisis also affected children’s school attendance.
Protests over housing problems totalled 31. Heavy rainfall caused landslides and flooding in Havana, which claimed some lives. Government negligence in maintenance and sanitation exacerbated the situation.
The 671 protests in June represent a 6.28% decrease from May, but a 38.3% increase compared to June 2023. Havana was the province with the most protests (221), followed by Matanzas (47), Camagüey (46), Villa Clara (37), and Holguín (33). Demonstrations based on Economic and Social Rights (ESR) accounted for 70.79% of the total, significantly outnumbering those related to Civil and Political Rights (CPR) (29.21%).
The June 2024 OCC report highlights a climate of growing and sustained discontent and repression in Cuba. The increasingly desperate population continues to challenge the government in search of improvements in basic services and fundamental freedoms. The economic and social situation continues to deteriorate, while the government response focuses on repression and control.
Source: EDITORIAL/CubaNet
