Cuba - May 2023

Protests erupted in eastern Cuba on 6 May against widespread fuel and food supply shortages and deteriorating living conditions. Conflicting narratives portraying the protests as both isolated incidents and significant uprisings emerged on social media, with videos that show dozens of demonstrators marching through the streets. The government’s repressive response has been criticized, with violent police crackdown resulting in injuries and arrests, accompanied by internet shutdowns to suppress freedom of expression and dissent. Economic hardship has sparked increased protests since July 2021, and many have been met with repression. A recent investigation by NGO Prisoners Defenders reveals widespread human rights violations in Cuban prisons, including overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, the use of solitary confinement, and denial of medical care. Political prisoners face physical and psychological torture. The UN emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and action. As of April 2023, 1,048 Cuban dissidents remain in jail.

Sources: Info Bae (1), Reuters, La Patilla,  Info Bae (2), Cuba Net, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights