19 Mar 2024 | 09:54 PM UTC
Cuba: Protests denouncing food shortages and power outages possible across country through at least late March
Protests denouncing food shortages, power outages possible across Cuba through at least late March amid economic crisis; clashes possible.
Protests denouncing food shortages, power outages, and price hikes may materialize in areas across Cuba, including in Havana, through at least late March amid the country's deepening economic crisis. Related demonstrations of various sizes have been reported in recent days in the following locations, among others, with hundreds of people participating in protests in Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba Province:
Artemisa Province: Protest activity reported in San Antonio de los Banos.
Granma Province: Protest activity reported in Bayamo.
Holguin Province: Protest activity reported in Cacocum.
Matanzas Province: Protest activity reported in Santa Marta.
Santiago de Cuba Province: Protest activity reported in El Cobre and Santiago de Cuba.
Officials have reportedly implemented internet and telecommunications restrictions in some areas. Security forces have also arrested some protesters and attempted to forcibly disperse demonstrations.
Authorities will likely deploy a heightened security presence to the sites of any additional demonstrations and may close roads to facilitate security operations. Security forces will probably attempt to forcibly disperse any protests that materialize and arrest rally participants. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out. Transport, business, and telecommunications disruptions will likely affect any areas that are subject to protest activity and heightened security measures.
Avoid all protest activity as a precaution. Consider taking alternative routes to circumvent affected areas and disruptions. If violence breaks out in your area, immediately depart the vicinity and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Confirm business meetings and other appointments in advance. Adhere to all instructions issued by local officials and your home government.
Cuba has faced an increasingly severe economic crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated power outages and shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have worsened in recent weeks. Inflation has spiked, and the government raised the price of fuel by more than 500 percent in March. Cuban authorities have attributed the deteriorating economic conditions to the US' trade embargo and sanctions, and accused US authorities of intervening in Cuban affairs. US officials, for their part, have claimed that the Cuban authorities' insinuation that the US is behind the protest activity is "absurd."
The March protests are the most significant to be reported in Cuba since the summer of 2021, when thousands of people staged demonstrations to denounce power outages and food shortages. More than 1,000 people were tried and convicted of attempting to overthrow governmental authorities following the 2021 protests.
Anti-government protests are rare in Cuba. When such demonstrations have previously occurred, authorities have employed force to quell protest activity and arrested protest participants.
