On Sunday, thousands of demonstrators in Miami took out a procession to show solidarity with protesters in Cuba who were marching against the government of Miguel Diaz Canel. Cuba is under the joint onslaught of an economic crisis which has been continuing from decades and a rise in coronavirus cases which has increased discontent and hardship among its residents.
Thousands of protesters in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami were on the streets, some of whom were singing and dancing while others were waving flags and signs. Cuban Americans said that they were out on the streets to show solidarity with the people in Cuba. The Miami Police Department cordoned the area between 32nd avenue to 37th Avenue in SW 8th Street as the numbers swelled. They urged residents to avoid going to that particular area until further notice.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade posted on Twitter that they stood united with the people of Cuba on the island and in the community during this historic moment as they struggled for freedom, dignity, and basic human rights. She added that she hoped that their courageous actions would bring real change and move them closer to the “dream of a free Cuba.”
President Joe Biden said that the nation stands with the Cuban people and their clarion call for freedom and relief from both the tragedy of the pandemic as well as decades of repression and economic hardships that were in place due to an authoritarian regime.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY UPDATE: @MiamiPD still has the area of S.W. 32nd – 37th Avenue on 8 Street shut down as the demonstration continues. Please avoid the area until further notice. pic.twitter.com/NfqtI884DW
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) July 12, 2021
Cubans have taken to the street to protest against food shortages and higher prices. The Trump administration had placed strict sanctions on the island nation and its effects have been exacerbated after the pandemic swept across the world and badly affected the island, as well. There is a shortage of medicine and basic products. Sugar production, which is the main export, has been affected due to various factors and decreased foreign exchange due to low exports has affected imports to the country, as well.
The protests on Sunday spread across cities, leading to the cutting of cell phone services in areas where there were major protests. News from the island was also interrupted. Although the protests began in San Antonio de los Banos, which is located southwest of Havana, the entire country was later engulfed by protesters, which is a rare occurrence in the island nation as the protesters could be identified and jailed as a result of their protests.
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