Cuban president urges communists to take to streets amid protests

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called on "revolutionaries and communists" to take to the streets and resist possible provocations during anti-state protests. He addressed the nation on state television, according to Diario de Cuba.

“We are not going to admit that any mercenary or counter-revolutionary is organizing an outbreak of discontent in society. We call on all revolutionaries and communists to resist these demonstrations in the streets. We will not allow anyone to manipulate them [the protesters],” the president said.

Thousands of Cubans are taking part in the demonstrations, according to Spanish-language CNN. They are protesting against the unstable economic situation and curtailment of freedoms, as well as against the worsening situation with the incidence of covid-19 .

The protesters are chanting "Freedom", "Down with communism" and "We are not afraid", reports El Mundo. Among the main requirements is access to a CORONAVIRUS vaccine. The portal writes that the economic crisis continues in the country, which is exacerbated by the lack of tourism and interruptions in imports due to the pandemic.