Protests broke out in multiple countries on Sunday as demonstrators demanded an end to the communist dictatorship in Cuba, according to several news outlets.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Miami, Argentina, and several cities across Cuba, demanding freedom from the communist regime while chanting, “We are not afraid,” several outlets reported.
Both Republicans and Democrats in the United States shared video of the protests while voicing support for the demonstrators.
“After decades of suffering through a communist dictatorship, the Cuban people deserve liberty,” wrote House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “I am proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Cuba who are calling out for freedom.”
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After decades of suffering through a communist dictatorship, the Cuban people deserve liberty.
I am proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Cuba who are calling out for freedom. pic.twitter.com/XNmm6GfHQx
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) July 11, 2021
“Spontaneous street protests breaking out in several cities in #Cuba right now with chants of #NoTenemosMiedo (We Are Not Afraid),” said Sen. Marco Rubio, who is Cuban American. “Frustration with the dictatorships incompetence, greed & repression is mounting rapidly.”
Spontaneous street protests breaking out in several cities in #Cuba right now with chants of #NoTenemosMiedo (We Are Not Afraid)
Frustration with the dictatorships incompetence,greed & repression is mounting rapidly pic.twitter.com/eSAr8Xrxpf
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 11, 2021
The Democratic mayor of Miami-Dade County also took to social media to voice support for protesters in Cuba.
“We stand united with the Cuban people on the island and across our community at this historic moment in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and basic human rights – may their courageous actions bring about real change and move us closer to the dream of a free Cuba,” Daniella Levine Cava wrote in a tweet Sunday evening.
We stand united with the Cuban people on the island and across our community at this historic moment in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and basic human rights – may their courageous actions bring about real change and move us closer to the dream of a free Cuba. #SOSCuba https://t.co/1YzrPd8UDF
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) July 11, 2021
Republican Florida congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, whose congressional district includes part of Miami, claimed Cuba’s regime is shutting down the internet on the island to prevent online users across the world from seeing the protests, an allegation echoed by Rubio on Twitter.
It was not immediately clear whether internet access was being limited on Sunday, though a network observability company called Kentik retweeted a user reporting internet traffic in the country experiencing one or two brief or total blackouts, the first beginning at approximately 4:05 p.m. local time.
UPDATE: According to @kentikinc data, internet traffic to/from Cuba continues to be erratic since two brief total blackouts beginning at 20:05 UTC (4:05pm local). #SoSCuba #KeepitOn pic.twitter.com/Ax77vTJ2Dl
— Doug Madory (@DougMadory) July 11, 2021
The Cuban regime previously shut down the internet on Jan. 29 for several hours as authorities beat and detained protesters at a free expression demonstration outside the Ministry of Culture in Havana, multiple outlets reported at the time.
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Cuba’s dictatorship is often accused by watchdogs of being hostile to free expression. In June, Miguel Diaz-Canel, the nation’s president, was listed alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as some of 2021’s most effective “press freedom predators,” according to Reporters Without Borders.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Federal Communications Commission but did not immediately receive a response.
