Hopes Of Freedom For Cuba: Mass Protests Against Communist Dictatorship Shake The Country
Thousands of suffering citizens took to the streets to demand an end to the communist dictatorship in Cuba.
Both republicans and democrats expressed their support for the people of Cuba on social media. Video materials of the protests were also shared, and there, the nation can be heard chanting “We are not afraid!”
Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said that the country’s communist regime is cutting off access to the internet.
“The Castro dictatorship doesn’t want the world to see what’s happening,” she wrote. “Please SHARE & stand with these freedom fighters!”
Tens of thousands of people in #Cuba are protesting at this very moment.
The regime is shutting off the internet on the island. The Castro dictatorship doesn’t want the world to see what’s happening.
Please SHARE & stand with these freedom fighters! #SOSCuba pic.twitter.com/qdKupC9r1N
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) July 11, 2021
Republican Senator Marco Rubio criticized the mainstream media for avoiding to cover the issue extensively.
“Attention US media … in #Cuba they are rising up because socialism is (always a) disaster,” he tweeted. “Are you going to report on this so the world can hear their voices?”
Socialism sucks
Ask the people forced to live under it in places like #Cuba pic.twitter.com/mis4qM45OP
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 11, 2021
The Senator also called on President Joe Biden and Secretary Anthony Blinken to urge the Cuban military to not open fire on their citizens.
“The incompetent communist party of #Cuba cannot feed or protest the people from the virus,” Rubio wrote. “Now those in the military must defend the people not the communist party.”
Expect the regime in #Cuba to block internet & cell phone service soon to prevent videos about what is happening to get out to the world.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 11, 2021
He also went on the attack against Twitter for suggesting that the protests in Cuba were about raising awareness for the Coronavirus.
“(Twitter) Ignores (that) this is really about how socialism is a disaster & always leads to tyranny, despair & suffering,” Rubio wrote, along with a screenshot of “#SOSCuba” trending on social media.
The figurehead “President” of #Cuba tries to prove his toughness to Raul Castro by openly called for bloodshed
He says demands for #Libertad are a “provocation” & calls on Communists to violently confront protestors #SOSCuba #PatriaYVida pic.twitter.com/sbyo8WJgUd
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 12, 2021
Texas Senator Ted Cruz also gave his two cents on the matter, Tweeting:
“Communist Cuban regime will be consigned to the dustbin of history. It has brutalized & denied freedom to generations of Cubans, and forced my family & so many others to flee. The American people stand squarely with the men & women of Cuba and their noble fight for liberty.”
The Communist Cuban regime will be consigned to the dustbin of history. It has brutalized & denied freedom to generations of Cubans, and forced my family & so many others to flee.
The American people stand squarely with the men & women of Cuba and their noble fight for liberty. https://t.co/09hdGQVJLh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 11, 2021
Florida Representatives Carlos A. Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Maria Elvira Salazar crafted a shared statement in support of the Cuban people.
“Now more than ever, the United States and the international community must support the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom. The humanitarian crisis Cuba faces right now is yet another symptom of the incompetence and absolute cruelty of the Cuban tyranny,” the statement read. “We know what freedom means for the Cuban people, and now, while the regime uses savage violence against the people peacefully demonstrating in the streets, the world has the obligation to stand with the brave Cuban people.”
The area between S.W. 32-37 Avenue on 8th Street is being secured by @MiamiPD in support of a demonstration and to ensure the safety of all participants. Please avoid the area and definitely as we continue monitoring. @ArtAcevedo pic.twitter.com/jUt4wjQ8KE
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) July 11, 2021
America stands with the oppressed Cuban people assembling for their birthright of #Libertad and America stands for a free and democratic Cuba! Que Viva Cuba Libre! https://t.co/SRs4WBn8CK
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) July 12, 2021
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
America stands with the people of Cuba as they fight for their freedom from a tyrannical government.
Socialism has failed everywhere it’s been tried. We can’t let America become another failed socialist experiment. 🇺🇸 #SOSCuba #FreedomOverSocialism https://t.co/lnWfsoc4N9
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) July 11, 2021
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
Gelet Fragela of Miami’s Cuban media outlet ADN Cuba, told Fox News that the government has been suppressing its own media – including ADN – for months leading up to the unrest.
“Cuba, just like the Soviet Union, is an organized totalitarian regime that creates a false reality and sends that to the world,” Fragela said.
She also stressed that the country has around 30,000 of its medical experts around the globe while disregarding the health of its own people at home.
“I wouldn’t say this is a protest because of the lack of COVID vaccines, I think this is a protest for the people of Cuba asking for the regime to end once and for all after more than 60 years of repression,” she said.
La activista por el bienestar animal Beatriz Batista fue una de los miles de personas que salieron a la calle el 11 de julio y dijo sentirse sumamente orgullosa de ser cubana por haberlo hecho. https://t.co/Tc7lKrXlHg
— ADNCuba (@CubaAdn) July 12, 2021
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