Situation in Cuba since the July 11 protests

What is happening in Cuba?

This is the question that has been around the world since protests of July 11, 2021, motivated by the acute economic, health and food crisis that the country is suffering and that have led the Cuban government to accept international humanitarian aid.

Although the violent actions and responses did not occur in all provinces or cities, they did generate a high state of alarm, as they are not usual in a country normally quiet and safe as Cuba.

The protests ceased after a week, so at this time there is total normality in the streets of Cuba, although the crisis situation continues while the Government faces the challenge of designing a new country model which is more efficient and open.

On the other hand, Cuba is advancing in its massive vaccination campaign and Cuba is getting ready for the tourist reopening of the island announced for November 7, one of the fundamental economic activities of Cuba and that has been seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

And it is that these events of 11J have put the largest of the Antilles under the magnifying glass of the press, organizations and international governments and have raised a wave of criticism and polarized opinions, both inside and outside the country.
To understand a little better what is happening in Cuba, we offer below a summary of opinions and interviews, from different points of view, of the press and people linked to Cuba who experienced these events.

July 11, the biggest social outbreak since 1959

Whatever the angle you analyze it from, July 11 marked a before and after in Cuban economic, social and political life which, since the beginning of 2020, has been quite worn out.

Phd. in Legal Sciences, professor and columnist Julio Antonio Fernández Estrada, describes what happened:
“(…) There was a social outbreak, the largest since 1959. It was a very large mobilization of people, especially from impoverished popular sectors, or at least most of these rallies, protests, began in quite poor parts of the country , municipalities and neighborhoods in almost all provinces, and in some with thousands and thousands of people, in around sixty different places. "

Interview with Jorge Pére, young curator of Cuban art

"July 11 was a social catharsis", as stated by the young curator of Cuban art, Jorge Peré, in a dialogue he had with the CubaUnique team.
"As now the networks occupy a space that was previously empty, because everyone began to sahre what was happening and suddenly it seemed that Cuba was in a state of war ... and it does not seem to me that it was what happened actually.
On July 11, a group of protests took place around the entire country that reflect the crisis situation that has been going on in Cuba for quite some time, which has been worsening. Beyond the situation of discontent, I believe that the people unleashed that energy that has been repressed during these long months of the pandemic and (…) took to the streets to express themselves and ask for a change. "
Live streamings through social networks lit fires in several cities that joined the protests in a domino effect, until the internet blackout cooled down the protests, as Cubans could not access the network.
So, as told by Jorge Peré: “I do not think there was absolute fidelity to the facts, neither form outside nor from inside. The most painful fact is that the flow of information in Cuba had to be cut off to omit a reality that is happening "
The avalanche of information from the outside, mixed with the official silence and the fake news - photos of the riots in Egypt were shared on Facebook as if it were Cuba - made it difficult to assess the situation.

The international discourse in the face of the revolutionary narrative

How did the media echo the protests in Cuba?  The international media headlines echoed the events of July 11 in Cuba, showing that an unprecedented event had taken place on the Caribbean island when thousands of Cubans decided to take to the streets in Havana, Artemisa, Santiago de Cuba to demand freedoms, most spontaneously and peacefully, and to demand changes in government policies.

Media such as BBC pointed to racial inequality as a key factor in the protests, pointing to Afro-descendants among the great losers of the reforms that have taken place in recent years in Cuba. Media such as El País questioned the government's management of the Covid-19 health crisis, at its highest peak in the pandemic, as the spark that ignited citizen's satiety. The New York times pointed to famine as the engine that fueled the protests.
Latin media such as VozdeAmerica pointed out the difficulty that the news found to break through in Cuba and how the population accepted the challenge of making themselves visible by reflecting what was happening on social networks.

Various anti-Castro organizations, international media and human rights NGOs shared images and videos of arrests, clashes and episodes of excessive police violence, but many have not been corroborated by the foreign press, nor is it known when they occurred.

CUBALEX, An organization that defends and promotes human rights in Cuba, denounced how the Cuban government forced young people in military service to join police repression groups.
About irregular arrests, as stated by Laritza Diversent, director of Cubalex, “This practice of arrests has an exemplary effect. The rest of society is inhibited from protesting again "
On the other hand, with an evidently opposite narrative, the cuban newspaper Granma published on July 24th that the protests in Cuba were due to another initiative of the US government to destabilize the country and "promote foreign intervention on the island."
The Cuban national press affirmed: “It was a well-engineered action from the outside, which had high technology, which was promoted by hundreds of fake accounts, bots and trolls, as has been reported these days by our media. They acted by taking advantage of the discontent caused by blackouts, shortages and fear at the increase in COVID-19 cases. "

Interview with Dianik Flores, Cuban journalist for Cubavisión Internacional

Dianik Flores, journalist for Cubavisión Internacional, and director-host of the program Caminar Cuba told us:
“I think that in our country we missed touching important edges, in the press above all, that have to do with the common citizen, the ordinary citizen, who has many dissatisfactions and who found that moment also to go out to show that he had deficiencies spiritual, material, economic. But I think he was also oversized, by the international press. "

Causes of the social outbreak: food, economic, health crisis and loss of confidence

The popular discontent was due, and is due, mainly, to tiredness and despair generated by the Covid-19 pandemic and food shortages, three factors that have lasted too long and have turned out to be the spark that turns people on, pushing them to the streets. The blackouts that affected, from previous days, a large part of the population helped to fan that flame.

In the previous months, the rapper Denis Solíswas convicted, the questioned arrests within the Movimiento San Isidro, as wqell as the viral tune Patria y Vida or the Cuban activists campaign #SOSCuba in social networks also shaked part of the popular discontent. In November, the massive protest of artists in front of the Ministry of Culture was the kickstarter for subsequent events.

In the blog of the Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez, Rubén Sánchez Caamaño expressed what he considers to be the most palpable causes of the social outbreak that occurred on July 11 in Cuba:

“(…) The fundamental cause of the protests is the desperation of the public with regard to material conditions, especially access to food, medicine and medical care. In a context of a pandemic that has overwhelmed the country's medical care capacities, which cannot cope with the total demands of the population with unprecedented levels of contagion. This, coupled with an economic crisis, with the embargo as a common denominator, whereby the ability to import food or inputs to produce them is completely limited, thus intensifying shortages. "
You can't ignore it either the monetary reform in Cuba, which has created a level of price inflation unaffordable for the average Cuban.

What is happening in Cuba today is a scenario where food and basic necessities are mostly found in the market in dollars; not in the national currency, and taking into account that inflation has come to equate 1 dollar to 70 Cuban pesosand that the average salary of a Cuban is approximately 3,000 Cuban pesos - about $ 40 at the exchange rate - the situation is unsustainable.

Writer Leonardo Padura affirmed that in Cuba you could hear a "howl" of the people, caused by various reasons:
“It seems very possible that everything that happened in Cuba since last Sunday, July 11, was encouraged by a greater or lesser number of people opposed to the system (some of them could even be paid), with the intention of destabilizing the country and causing a situation of chaos and insecurity.
It is also true that opportunistic and regrettable acts of vandalism followed. But I think that neither evidence takes one iota of reason from the scream that we have heard. A cry that is also the result of the desperation of a society that is going through not only a long economic crisis and a specific health crisis, but also a crisis of confidence and a loss of expectations (…) I also believe that any Cuban inside or outside of The island knows that the US commercial and financial blockade or embargo, whatever you want to call it, is real and has become internationalized and intensified in recent years and that it is too heavy a burden for the Cuban economy (as it would be for any other economy). "

The US embargo and the impact on the Cuban economy

The focus of what happened in Cuba was also placed on the US government, which was urged to restore mechanisms, already created by Obama and destroyed by Donald Trump, to improve communication, aid and sending money, medical supplies and food to the Cuban people from the United States.

The reality is that today the US embargo has done a lot of damage to Cuba, losses quantified by the Government of Cuba at US $ 144,413.7, and although it is evident that this is not the only cause of his internal problems, the combined effect of all these measures is very remarkable and acts on different sides:
It limits commercial activity with the island, greatly hinders the arrival of remittances, blocks financial operations with the country, prevents American tourism on the island, etc., especially if one takes into account that, due to geographical location, the United States should be the great economic partner of Cuba.

At first, everything pointed to the president Joe Biden would soften the position towards Cuba valuing the reopening of the US embassy in Havana (which remains closed to this day), as well as resuming the sending of remittances to Cubans from the US, without government interference. Although, at the moment it does not seem that this is the strategy of the White House, that for many Cubans is disappointing.

Globally, The UN once again condemned the embargo on Cuba on June 23 by an overwhelming majority and demanded an end to those unilateral coercive measures that have lasted for six decades and that pose a major brake on the island's economy.

Humanitarian intervention vs. humanitarian aid to the Cuban people

After what happened on Sunday, July 11, Cubans, both inside and outside the island, began a campaign against what many call the Cuban "regime" or "dictatorship" , in favor of a US government intervention for the resolution of internal conflicts on the island.

The most radical demanded a military intervention that would finally overthrow the more than 60 years of the political system that Cuba has experienced; while others, perhaps from a naive position, claimed a “humanitarian” intervention, by means of the creation of a humanitarian corridor, through which members of the Cuban-American community will land in Cuba with sufficient supplies to alleviate the crisis of medicines, food and hygiene.
In this regard, the Cuban writer and 2015 Princess of Asturias Award for Literature, Leonardo Padura commented that Cuba's problems must be resolved among Cubans:
“I think that no one with a minimum feeling of belonging, with a sense of sovereignty, with a civic responsibility can want (or even believe) that the solution to these problems comes from any type of foreign intervention, much less of a military nature, as some have come to ask, and which, it is also true, represents a threat that is still a possible scenario. "
Intervening militarily in Cuba was never an option - not for the US government, nor for anyone else. But the labels #SOSCuba and #SOSMatanzas, which were massively shared, put pressure on the actions of the Cuban government, which had always been reluctant to receive humanitarian aid on the island.
The pressures eventually led Government of Cuba to accept humanitarian aid from various countries, organizations and people who have wanted to show solidarity and join in the contribution to the Caribbean island, now that it most needs it.

As informed by Ministry of Foreign Trade of Cuba, currently, Cuba has received donations of food, medicine, fuel, medical supplies, money, etc. from various countries, NGOs and individuals. These inputs have been socialized, mostly, through the bodegas, thanks the supply books.

The citizen initiatives for humanitarian aidon their side, have also managed to establish very efficient aid channels between Cuban cities and foreign countries.
It is worth highlighting the work of organizations such as the Spanish NGO Hombre Nuevo, Tierra Nueva, which has developed interesting community work programs on the island for more than 20 years and has channeled humanitarian aid to Cuba from Spain.

Irregularities in the Cuban criminal process and abbreviated trials

A fact that has bothered the international community and, above all, the exiled Cubans has been the arrest and prosecution, in many cases unfairly,of participants in the protests of 11J and the next days.

Phd. in Legal Sciences, professor and columnist Julio Antonio Fernández Estrada commented that “None of the people who exercised their right to peaceful marches on July 11 and the following days committed any crime (…) Even if they were present, looking at or taking photos, making videos; Although they have been walking down the street shouting slogans.
The right to demonstrate is a human right in Cuba and the crime that exists, which is provided for in our Penal Code, is to limit the right to demonstrate (...) Because at the time the Prosecutor's Office maintains accusations, and given the environment sociopolitical that has occurred in the country, it seems that there is an inclination for these people to be judged in an exemplary way and that will worsen the sociopolitical environment that they want to control or resolve. "
Another worrying fact is that not all people are going to trial accompanied by a lawyer, nor with the knowledge of family or friends. Not all the families of the detained persons are receiving information on their whereabouts in less than 24 hours.
There have been major problems with criminal due process in these investigations and processes, and it is something alarming since it has already happened before. For many detainees, the precautionary measures have lasted longer than they should, while others are deprived of their liberty on a conditional basis, for longer than the time required by law.
International institutions and organizations, including the EU, the US, International Amnesty and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the arrests and urged Cuba to release the detainees, whose exact number has not been disclosed, although NGOs consider them over half a thousand.
In this sense, the European Parliament approved on September 15 a non-binding resolution in which, among other issues, it expresses its concern about the situation regarding detention and lack of judicial independence, asks the EU to punish those responsible for "human rights violations" in Cuba after the July 11 protests, and denounces the breach of the agreement on political dialogue and cooperation by Havana authorities.

Tourism as the main line of the Cuban economy

Tourism is one of the fundamental economic activities of Cuba, which has been deeply affected since the start of the pandemic (according to the National Office of Statistics and Information ONEI, Cuba has received 94% fewer international visitors so far in 2021, compared to the high season of 2020).

The fact that tourists do not arrive in Cuba has influenced the weakening of its economy, especially among common people, which normally keeps the most direct contact with the tourist, since they offer accommodation in their private houses, good creole food in the family paladares or city tours in classic American cars, pedicabs, or horse-drawn carriages.
"Now tourism is down", commented journalist Dianik Flores, when talking to the CubaUnique team. "I don't think people want to come only to enjoy nature, they also want to go to a cinema, a theater, a concert or an art exhibition."
On September 9, the Government of Cuba announced the reopening of tourism to the island planned in phases by November 7th. Good news for Cuba on dates that also coincide with the start of the high season in Cuba, and without a doubt one of the best times to travel to Cuba.

It is expected that by November, 90% of Cuban's population will be vaccinated.The manufacture of vaccines has been prioritized and the areas with the highest rates of infection have been favored.

We will have to wait to see how the vaccination progresses, and what reopening measures the government finally adopts, but if it is likely that you travel to Cuba soon, the Cuban people will surely welcome you with open arms as they are eager to reactivate their private businesses and return to normalcy.
"We are still the same country as always, and we are going to welcome you with open arms!" It was the message that journalist Dianik Flores wanted to express to foreign tourists. As she tells us, “Cuba is still a quiet country and an extremely safe destination, which still preserves its natural attractions and the human qualities of its people. "
If you prefer going on solidarity trips to Cuba, it can also be a time to travel to Cuba and support those Cuban socio-cultural community projects which really need all the encouragement and help that can be given to them to get ahead.

Sandra Expósito, owner of the Malecón 663 hotel

On the other hand, the French resident in Cuba Sandra Expósito, owner of the hotel boutique Malecón 663 commented for CubaUnique:
“I think that this type of demonstration happens in any country in the world when people need to express something, what happens is that here we are not used to seeing it, and it was incredible (…) but that is not a problem, they will never be against tourists, nor the Cubans themselves. (The protesters) passed in front of us, and no one was afraid, because they were not coming to attack anyone. (…) No, there is no fear here! Here there is joy, there is peace, there is harmony ... and a wonderful landscape. "

What is currently happening in Cuba?

The outbreak of 11J caused an unusual movement and atmosphere in the streets, but nowadays Cuba has the same vibes as always and Cubans have returned to the hustle and bustle of their daily lives, with the limitations of course imposed by the pandemic and the aforementioned economic shortages, which, on the other hand, are nothing new on the island.

But these events, far from only darkening the social panorama, have come to put the island on the spotlight; the Cuba of today and now.
The J 11 protests generated pressure, rarely achieved, on the Cuban government, which has taken a series of measures to try to mitigate the difficult situation that the people are experiencing currently. It has also resumed exchanges with some social sectors, visits to vulnerable communities and new promises to solve old problems.
The package of measures adopted by the Cuban government favors the internal economy and focuses on: the authorization of the importation of food, hygiene and medicines without limit of value and free from the payment of customs duties; update regulations for food distribution; eliminate the use of the salary scale established in the Tarea Ordenamiento for the payment of salaries and operational flexibility in micro, small and medium state companies.

How do we predict the future of Cuba?

Once again, the testimony of Dr. Julio Antonio Fernández Estrada is very enlightening:

“Inside the country it is necessary to channel political pluralism, political differences, even economic differences and positions in seeing how the development of the country can be carried out. All of this will help people channel the energy of participation in another way. But I also start from analyzing that protest is normal in politics; what is not normal is to assume it as something that we must eliminate from our political spectrum, that must be repressed or criminalized. "
In any case, we believe that what the people need are solutions and answers, not only of a material nature, but also political ones.
As once was expressed by Fernández Estrada: “Every day is a sacrifice. The pandemic has hit us hard and it seems to me that we cannot take it anymore. We must study the depth of the causes of July 11 (…) That is the Cuban reality and whoever wants to make up something else should come here to spend a year with us. You have to live this, stop believing lies and come and live it here. "

"We are already at the moment of making productivity decisions”, as told to CubaUnique by young curator Jorge Peré. "Predicting what Cuba can be in 10, 15 years ... I think it will depend on the decisions made by the government. I trust that the idea is to move forward, to recreate a more productive version of this country, where enrichment is not a crime. "
Undoubtedly, the government's challenge is very high, and it must also go through incorporate dialogue into the political agenda. Dialogue with a people with shortages and vicissitudes, but courageous and determined to be listened to, to improve their conditions and to fight for their country to “come forward”, although a good Cuban would state it otherwise...; anyway ... determined to solve it.

Article written by Gabriela Rodríguez, (independent Cuban guide), and Bárbara Pérez, (CubaUnique CEO)

Videos and pictures produced and edited by Javier Ernesto Hernández-López.

CubaUnique is not responsible for the content expressed by the people interviewed in this article. 

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