Rare Anti-government Protests Erupt In Cuba

Above, El Capitolio, the Cuban capitol building two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like the mainstream media in the U.S. are covering the mass protests in Cuba. It is too big to ignore, especially since videos of the protests are making their way in social media.

To find the videos on Facebook, for example, enter either #Cuba or #SOSCuba in the site's search feature. 

From Gulf News:

HAVANA: Thousands of Cubans took part in rare protests on Sunday against the communist government, chanting, “Down with the dictatorship,” as President Miguel Diaz-Canel called on his supporters to confront the demonstrators.

The anti-government rallies started spontaneously in several cities as the country endures its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with chronic shortages of electricity and food.

Several hundred protesters marched through the capital Havana chanting, “We want liberty,” with a heavy military and police presence deployed after demonstrators massed outside the Capitol building.

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds, and at least ten people were arrested, while officers used plastic pipes to beat protesters, AFP journalists witnessed.

Diaz-Canel delivered a combative television address, saying: “The order to fight has been given - into the street, revolutionaries!”

“We call on all revolutionaries of the country, all communists, to go out in the streets where these provocations occur... and to face them in a decisive, firm and courageous way.”

The Cuban government shut off the Internet in order to hide the protests (not that there was much Internet service there anyway). But plenty of photos and videos have made their way onto social media.

To read more, go here. 

Mass Protests In Cuba

Above, an image of Che Guevara looms at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The biggest protests in decades are now happening in Cuba and the U.S. news media are largely ignoring it.

According to Fox News:

Thousands of Cuban protesters have taken to the streets demanding an end to the country's communist dictatorship. 

U.S. officials on both sides of the political aisle issued statements on social media expressing their support of the demonstrations and expressed solidarity with the people of Cuba. They also shared footage, where protestors can be heard chanting "we are not afraid."

According to Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, Cuba's regime is shutting off internet on the island.

"The Castro dictatorship doesn’t want the world to see what’s happening," Salazar wrote. "Please SHARE & stand with these freedom fighters!"

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., called out the mainstream media for refusing to provide extensive coverage on the unrest in Cuba. 

"Attention US media … in #Cuba they are rising up because socialism is (always a) disaster," Rubio tweeted. "Are you going to report on this so the world can hear their voices?" 

To read more, go here. 

Cuba Gets New Restrictions From Trump

Above, inside a government-run cigar and rum store in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

President Trump has announced new restrictions so not to fund the Cuban regime.

According to the Miami Herald:

Americans traveling to Cuba will not be able to buy rum or tobacco as souvenirs, nor will they be able to stay in government hotels, according to new restrictions announced by president Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“Today as part of our continuing fight against communist oppression, I am announcing that the Treasury Department will prohibit U.S. travelers from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government,” Trump said in a speech to honor Bay of Pigs veterans at the White House. “We are also further restricting the importation of Cuban alcohol and Cuban tobacco. This actions will ensure U.S. dollars do not fund the Cuban regime.”

As far as I've known, Cuban alcohol and cigars have not been available in the U.S. except, maybe, on the black market.

Frankly, I think Cuban cigars are a bit overrated. I bought some Montecristo No. 2 cigars (recommended by Rush Limbaugh) while in Cuba last year and I really didn't notice any difference in taste between them and the Oliva Serie G cigars I get here.  

To read more, go here.

Biden Would Reverse Trump's Cuba Policies...Without Concessions

Above, El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer/

When President Barack Obama re-established full diplomatic relations with Cuba, he did so without getting any concessions from the communist government.

Naturally, the influx of U.S. tourist dollars helped the Cuban government fund their military and aid the Venezuela's oppressive government.

President Trump reversed many of the Obama policies in June 2019 and restricted travel to Cuba. I just made it to Cuba in April 2019 before the restrictions were imposed.

Former Vice President Joe Biden says he'll reverse Trump's policies, again, without getting any concessions from the Cuban government that would help the Cuban people.

NBC New York reported:

America’s approach to Cuba, under a Joe Biden administration, would be very different than it is today.  

That’s what the former vice president said in an exclusive interview with NBC 6 Anchor Jackie Nespral. 

“I’d try to reverse the failed Trump policies, it inflicted harm on Cubans and their families,” Biden said. “It’s done nothing to advance democracy and human rights, on the contrary, the crackdown on Cubans by the regime has gotten worse under Trump, not better.” 

Some are critical of Obama’s efforts, saying it resulted in no progress for the Cuban people.   

“What he basically did was give Raul Castro a number of concessions and Raul Castro did not give any concessions to the US in terms of more freedom for the Cuban people,” said Jaime Suchlicki with the think tank Cuban Studies Institute. 

Above, yours truly at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

To read the full article, go here. 

Travel To Cuba: It's Complicated

Above, a Havana flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is still possible for American to travel to Cuba, but there's many rules and restrictions that have to be sorted out.

The Los Angeles Times posted and article on traveling to Cuba, which I found interesting since I visited Havana in April, before travel got clamped down in June. I had never been to a communist country before and thought a trip there would be educational. And it was.

Here's a snippet:

The numbers of foreign visitors had been growing every year, boosting Cuba’s economy even before President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, Cuba’s head of state, restored diplomatic relations in 2015. 

In June, President Trump clamped down, canceling the loose “people-to-people” category of U.S.-sanctioned group travel to Cuba. 

For Cuba travel to be “sanctioned” by the U.S. government, the money that individual American travelers spend here must benefit ordinary Cubans, not fall into the hands of the Cuban government. Rules for organized groups are different but now Americans traveling individually are supposed to stay in private homes, eat in privately owned restaurants, called paladares, and shop in privately owned stores.

Above, yours truly and Mitch Geriminsky upon arrival at a Havana Port terminal.

To read more, go here.