Anti-government protests in Moron, Cuba, escalated into violence, targeting a local Communist Party office, according to the state-run newspaper Invasor. The unrest was reportedly sparked by ongoing power outages and food shortages, which have been exacerbated by U.S. sanctions against the island nation.
The protest began late Friday and initially unfolded peacefully, but tensions rose into the early hours of Saturday. Reports indicate that demonstrators threw rocks and set a fire outside the Municipal Party Committee building, with social media videos capturing the chaos. However, the authenticity of these videos remains unverified.
The U.S. has intensified its economic pressure on Cuba in recent months, particularly following the political developments in Venezuela, a key ally of Cuba. The Trump administration has restricted oil shipments to Cuba and threatened sanctions on countries that support its oil supply. This has contributed to an economy already struggling with significant shortages of essential goods and services.
Cuban authorities have acknowledged the protests but emphasize the rarity of public dissent in the country, where a 2019 constitutional amendment grants citizens the right to demonstrate, albeit without a clearly defined legal framework. Invasor reported that the situation turned violent after a confrontation with local authorities, leading to vandalism not only at the party office but also at other state establishments, including a pharmacy.
While police detained five individuals, there were conflicting reports about injuries, with state media denying claims of gunfire. In recent days, smaller protests have also emerged in Havana, where residents have expressed their frustrations over power cuts and the government's handling of the crisis. Moron previously witnessed significant anti-government protests in July 2021, reflecting ongoing public discontent with the current situation.