Timeline since the beginning of the protests in Cuba on July 11 2021

Photo credits: Ricardo IV Tamayo on Unsplash.com

The protests in Cuba that started on July 11 2021 caught everyone’s attention, Cubans overseas above all. Having relatives in Cuba is not an easy thing, let go of the distance in between and the feeling of longing to see them. In harsh times, getting worried and living the protests in one’s heart becomes a daily routine.

How to support your folks these times? With few means at hand, like mobile top ups (especially when Cubacel bonus applies) and money transfers, verbal support, and online combat is all you can do.

Let’s see the timeline of the major events in Cuba since the start of the protests that left the world speechless. We’ve talked the topic in August, but would not predict the outcome.

Why July 11

On on 11 July 2021, a series of protests in Cuba burst out. Unexpected street protests against the Cuban government to the amazement of an entire planet.

Slogans go against the ruling Communist Party of Cuba and the government, triggered by a shortage of food and medicine during the pandemic. But what seems to have infuriated the Cubans in street was the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis in Cuba.

Cuba restricts access to social media

To everyone’s amazement and discomfort, especially Cuban relatives abroad waiting for news, the Cuban administration blocks access to social media and messaging platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

World leaders call for support

protests in Cuba

World leaders express their concern and speak up publicly in support of the protests in Cuba.

The foreign minister for the European Union, Josep Borrell, urged the Cuban government “to listen to these protests of discontent” during a press conference Monday in Brussels after meeting with EU foreign ministers.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, called Sunday’s protests “a historic day for Cuba” while expressing concern over reports of “internet blackouts, arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force — including police firing on demonstrators” as well as “a long list of missing persons.”

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador told reporters in Mexico City Monday that a “truly humanitarian gesture” would be for the United States to lift the five-decade economic embargo of Cuba. “No country in the world should be fenced in, blockaded,” he said. (Voanews.com, July 13)

One week of protests

The wave of rare public protests continues for a week. Demonstrators express their frustration with prices going up, wages falling, power outages, civil liberties, plus the United States embargo, but especially “the silence” of the communist government to address the economic challenges.

It seems the pandemic led to the Cuban protests in an indirect way. The economy has been severely affected by the crisis: 11% drop in 2020 according to multiple media sources among which Aljazeera.com.

USA sanctions

The USA administration takes action, despite their embargo policy. The Biden administration announces new sanctions against Cuba’s National Revolutionary Police. The gesture translates US intention to increase pressure on the communist government following the protests in Cuba.

Cuba regulates cryptocurrencies on the island

The restrictions on remittances from the USA led to the rise of the digital currency in Cuba. The phenomenon was larger than Cuba. Latin American countries show a favorable attitude towards cryptocurrencies to evade remittance costs and restrictions.

So, Cuba regulates cryptocurrencies for payments on the island, withing the context of US sanctions.

A resolution published in the Official Gazette on Thursday said the central bank will set rules on cryptocurrencies and determine how to license providers of related services within the communist state. (Aljazeera.com)

Cuba starts exporting its COVID-19 vaccines

In the whirl of protests in Cuba, the island begins exporting the Cuban Abdala vaccine to Vietnam and Venezuela.

Opposition protests fail

The opposition protests in Cuba do not happen as planned since police have flooded the island and prevented people from gathering again. Protest organizers report being confined to their homes. Friends and family members talk in the media about more opposition figures being detained.

Cuba’s statement on Twitter

The USA calls for human rights respect. The opposition in Cuba plans to continue with protests demanding freedom and the release of political prisoners. And the response of the Cuban reps comes on Twitter. Read more about it here.