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Protests against Cuban government spread to the States as first protester dies in Havana

Jul 14, 2021

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Protests against the Cuban government spread throughout the United States on Tuesday. The video above shows protests in Florida, New York, and New Jersey.

In Miami, Cuban-Americans blocked Palmetto Expressway with a demonstration supporting the anti-government protesters in Cuba. Protesters also marched in the streets in Orlando. An SOS Cuba solidarity protest was held outside the U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida Tuesday evening. In New York City, Protesters marched from Times Square to the United Nations in support of the recent demonstrations in Havana. Members of New Jersey’s Cuban community gathered Tuesday in North Bergen, New Jersey, for a rally calling for the liberation of the Cuban people.

These protests come as Cuban authorities confirmed Tuesday one person has died during protests in the nation’s capital city. According to the Interior Ministry, 36-year-old Diubis Laurencio Tejeda died Monday during a clash between protesters and police in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality on the outskirts of Havana. An unknown number of people were arrested, and there was an unknown number of injuries.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry accused demonstrators of vandalizing houses, setting fires and damaging power lines. Protesters are also accused of attacking police and civilians with knives, stones and other objects.

There was still heavy police presence Tuesday, despite there being no reports of new protests. Officers guarded key points like the Malecon coastal promenade and the Capitol. Internet and cellphone data service was still disrupted.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters Tuesday the U.S. has not detected any surge of migrants from Cuba so far.

He warned Cubans any migrants intercepted at sea are returned to their homelands or sent to other countries. “The humanitarian message to the people of Cuba is do not take to the seas,” Secretary Mayorkas said. “People die when they try to migrate in the maritime channel irregularly.”