Cuba shuts down planned anti-government protests
- Cuban security forces foil planned mass protest, with prominent dissidents confined to homes
- The White House slammed the crackdown, said it aimed to ‘silence’ peaceful protesters
Cuban authorities appeared to have largely shut down anti-government protests Monday, squashing opposition hopes of building on the massive demonstrations that roiled the island in July.
Human rights groups said protest leaders were being intimidated, isolated and harassed, keeping them from taking to the streets.
“We’re seeing an increase in the number of people who are being detained, and an escalation in the use of intimidation and threats of violence,” said Laritza Diversent, the founder of the Cubalex human rights group.
The Cuban government declared Monday’s “Civic March for Change” illegal. Leaders of the communist island have blamed the social unrest on Washington and its economic sanctions.
Several activists posted videos of their homes being surrounded by pro-government crowds chanting “traitor” and “mercenaries”. Others, including journalists, reported having their internet cut off. Over the weekend, Spain’s state-run news agency, EFE, said its reporters in Cuba had their work permits revoked, sparking a rebuke from Madrid. Groups also said there was a heavy police presence in the streets of Havana.