Deputy Director of the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Rosenthal specially for News Front commented on the situation in Cuba
He spoke about the reasons behind the protests. According to him, they were based on the island’s dire economic situation.
“I believe that the protests in Cuba have a socio-economic nature and are explained by the difficult situation of the population. That and the coronavirus pandemic. It has had a negative effect both on the economy and on the increase in disease, which in Cuba is quite high and vaccination is not. It is both the socio-economic difficulties and the US sanctions that are having a negative effect”, – said the expert.
This assumption is also supported by the slogans of the protesters. They express dissatisfaction with the economic situation in Cuba.
However, Rosenthal stressed that it is too early to talk about the overthrow of the government and a coup d’état. There is nothing yet to indicate that the authorities risk exile:
“For now, the Cuban government has fairly stable reserves. So far, I wouldn’t think it’s in any danger. They have a strong police apparatus and security forces and fairly strong public support.”
Rosenthal also drew attention to the relationship with the United States. Many had hoped that under Joe Biden there would be a rapprochement that had already taken place under Barack Obama. However, the protests are pushing those plans back indefinitely.
“Normalisation of relations with the US appears to be on hold. Given that relations between Havana and Washington have now deteriorated again. And I would not rule out an increase of some kind of pressure by Washington on Havana”, – the expert concluded.
Protests in the Island of Liberty started on Sunday, 11 July. They are taking place across the country, including in the capital, Havana. Authorities have appealed to the people, urging them to remain calm and to stand together against external threats.