In photos: Thousands of Cubans take to the streets for anti-government protests
11 July 2021
Thousands of people protested across Cuba on Sunday against food and medicine shortages during the pandemic, per AP.
Why it matters: It's unusual for demonstrations to be held against the Communist government, which is known for cracking down on dissent. The protests in Havana and elsewhere are the biggest since 1994, when an uprising saw many Cubans leave by sea, the New York Times notes.
A man is arrested during the anti-government protest in Havana on July 11, during which protesters chanted "Down with the dictatorship" and "We want liberty." Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images
AP photographer Ramon Espinosa is grabbed by the police while covering the demonstration against Diaz-Canel in Havana on July 11. AP reports that a group of government supporters assaulted him. SomPhoto: Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images
Cubans standing outside Havana's Capitol during a demonstration against the government on July 11. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (C) walks alongside his supporters in the town of San Antonio de los Banos after the anti-government protests on July 11. Photo: Yander Zamora/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images