Accusing the US embassy in Havana of seeking to stoke an anti-government uprising and meddling in Cuba’s internal affairs, Cuba’s foreign ministry on Monday said it had summoned the top American diplomat on the island to a meeting.
This followed rare protests which erupted in at least five cities, including the second-largest city, Santiago, with angry demonstrators upset over prolonged power cuts –sometimes extending to 14 hours–and lack of food. One protestor captured the sentiment, saying, “We’re tired of the blackouts and empty shelves. We just want to live with dignity.”
This outburst of frustration comes against the backdrop of a crippling economic crisis and long-standing frosty relationship with the United States. The U.S. embargo and sanctions against Cuba, a policy in place since the Cold War era, have long been a thorn in Cuba’s side. The Cuban government blames these measures for its economic hardship. Despite some easing of tensions under President Biden, the relationship remains strained. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel recently stated, “The U.S. embargo is the main obstacle to our development.”
Cubans are facing a harsh reality. Food shortages and lengthy blackouts have become a daily struggle. A resident of Havana lamented, “We barely have any electricity to cook or refrigerate food. It’s getting unbearable.” It was against this backdrop of discontent that Cubans took to the streets on Sunday.
The government wasted no time in pointing fingers. They accused the U.S. embassy of meddling in their internal affairs and inciting an uprising. The U.S. State Department, in turn, called these accusations “absurd” and urged Cuba to respect human rights. A US State Department spokesman stated, “We are monitoring the protests closely and call on the Cuban government to uphold the rights of its people to peaceful assembly.”
“The United States stands with the Cuban people as they exercise their rights to assemble peacefully. The Cuban government will not be able to meet the needs of its people until it embraces democracy and the rule of law and respects the rights of Cuban citizens,” said Ambassador Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State, in a post on X Monday.
“We are aware of reports of peaceful protests in Santiago, Bayamo, Granma, and elsewhere in Cuba, with citizens protesting the lack of food and electricity. We urge the Cuban government to respect the human rights of the protestors and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban people,” the US embassy in Havana said on X, formerly Twitter.
We are aware of reports of peaceful protests in Santiago, Bayamo, Granma, and elsewhere in Cuba, with citizens protesting the lack of food and electricity. We urge the Cuban government to respect the human rights of the protestors and address the legitimate needs of the Cuban…
— Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Cuba (@USEmbCuba) March 18, 2024
Public protests are a rarity in Cuba, where authorities have traditionally clamped down on dissent. This makes the recent demonstrations all the more significant, highlighting the depth of the economic crisis and public frustration. A five-fold increase in fuel prices earlier this month added to the general misery.
While Cuba appeared calm on Monday, the underlying issues remain unresolved. Blackouts are expected to continue, and the economic crisis shows no signs of immediate improvement. The tense relationship between Cuba and the U.S. adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
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