Government of Cuba restricts internet after protests 2:29
(Reuters) -
Cuba announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily lift customs restrictions limiting the importation of medicines and food, one of the demands of protesters who took to the streets at the weekend amid a deep economic crisis.
Spanish newspaper says that the vice minister of the Interior of Cuba resigned;
Díaz-Canel denies it
The measure of the free importation of food, medicine and hygiene products will be launched as of next Monday, said Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero on the Round Table program on local television.
Díaz-Canel denies resignations of general and deputy minister 0:53
"Exceptionally and temporarily authorize the importation via passenger with accompanying luggage, food, hygiene and medicines without import value limit and free of payment of tariffs," said Marrero.
Thousands of people took to the streets last weekend to protest shortages, restrictions on civil liberties and the spread of the coronavirus.
What role have technology and social networks played in the crisis in Cuba?
Authorities have said the protests were sparked by a social media campaign labeled SOS Cuba, calling for humanitarian intervention by "counterrevolutionaries" in an attempt to destabilize the country.
"Freedom and intervention", the cry of Cubans in Miami 3:03
The government maintains that US-funded mercenaries are manipulating a crisis caused by Washington sanctions.
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"It was a demand of many travelers and it was necessary to make this decision," said Marrero.
It is not immediately clear how much of a difference the measure will make in the situation in Cuba, because there are very few flights to the country due to the restrictions of the pandemic.
Protests