Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team warned the government of Cuba to “refrain from violence” following a flare of protests across the island.

“What we are seeing is a reflection of the dire situation on the island,” State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said on Monday. “We urge the Cuban government to refrain from violence and unjust detentions and are calling on the authorities to respect the Cuban citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.”