Thousands of people protest against Cuban government

Cubans demonstrate in several areas of the island state against the economy of shortages and oppression.

After the recent change in leadership, many hoped in vain for political liberalization.

San Antonio de los Baños - For the first time in years, large numbers of demonstrators against the socialist government took to the streets in Cuba.

Especially in the town of San Antonio de los Baños, southwest of the capital Havana, numerous people protested against the economy of scarcity and oppression.

This could be seen on videos posted on social networks.

There were also demonstrations in Havana and the cities of Holguín, Matanzas, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba.

Security forces on duty

President Miguel Díaz-Canel went to San Antonio de los Baños himself and addressed the Cubans on state television.

"We will not give up the sovereignty and independence of this nation," said the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.

"If you want to defeat the revolution, you have to go over our corpses." According to government opponents, security forces took action against the demonstrators.

"We call on all revolutionaries to take to the streets and defend the revolution in all places," said Díaz-Canel.

Change of leadership in April

Massive protests against the socialist government are rare in authoritarian Cuba. Recently, however, oppositional artists of the so-called San Isidro movement had repeatedly brought people onto the streets and also attracted international attention. The musicians Descemer Bueno, Yotuel Romero and the Duo Gente de Zona showed their solidarity with the movement with their song “Patria y Vida” (Fatherland and Life).

It was only in April that President Miguel Díaz-Canel took over the leadership of the Communist Party (PCC) from Raúl Castro. For the first time since the revolution of 1959, the socialist Caribbean island is no longer ruled by a Castro. However, the change at the top of the party did not go hand in hand with political liberalization. In everyday life, most Cubans also suffer from the consequences of the Cuban planned economy and the US economic embargo. dpa