Cuba: Protesters gather outside Ministry of Culture in Havana November 27 /update 1

Event

A group of protesters gathered outside of the Ministry of Culture in Havana on Friday, November 27, following a raid on the headquarters of the San Isidro Movement dissident group on Thursday, November 26. Dozens of protesters initially gathered on Friday morning; however, the crowd grew as the day progressed and by Friday evening, demonstrators refused to depart the area unless they met with officials to engage in dialogue over freedom of expression. Police raided the San Isidro Movement on Thursday to break up a hunger strike during which 14 people were detained and 11 later released.

Further protests are possible in Havana in the near term and may be forcibly dispersed by security forces.

Context

The San Isidro Movement was founded in 2018 and opposes alleged oppressive measures imposed by Cuba's communist government and aims to highlight curbs on civil liberties and other rights abuses in the country. The group is largely made up of artists, musicians, journalists, and academics. The Cuban government has claimed that the dissidents are pawns of the United States and other foreign governments attempting to destabilize the country.

Advice

Those in Havana are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the vicinity of any future protests, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.