Cuba has arrested dozens of activists following one of the largest anti-government protests in recent memory.
At least 100 protesters, activists, and independent journalists have been arrested nationwide since Sunday, Reuters reported, citing exiled rights group Cubalex. Some people were arrested at protests, but others were detained as they tried to leave their home.
Among those arrested was a leading Cuban dissident who was detained as he tried to attend a protest in the city of Santiago, according to The Associated Press.
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Thousands of people demonstrated across Cuba on Sunday against the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel amid an economic crisis and a spike in COVID-19 infections.
Demonstrations took place in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood in solidarity with the protesters in Cuba.
Amnesty International said Monday that that during Sunday’s demonstrations, it received reports of “internet blackouts, arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force – including police firing on demonstrators – and reports that there is a long list of missing persons.”
In a speech on Monday, Díaz-Canel blamed the protests on the United States’ “politics of asphyxiation” toward Cuba, a reference to the economic embargo on the island nation.
“Is it not very hypocritical and cynical that you block me … and you want to present yourself as the big savior?” The Cuban president said. “Lift the blockade … and then we will see what this people, that has achieved an immense social work despite what is practically a war economy, is capable of.”
But President BidenJoe BidenPoll: Biden approval on coronavirus slips 2 percentage points Overnight Defense: Top US commander in Afghanistan departs | US sends delegation to Haiti after request for troops | Senate Dems propose .3B for Pentagon in Capitol security bill Protests escalate US-Cuba tensions MORE said Monday that that the Cuban government has to respect the rights of its citizens.
“The Cuban people are bravely asserting fundamental and universal rights. Those rights, including the right of peaceful protest and the right to freely determine their own future, must be respected,” Biden said.
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