Chief Diplomacy Anthony Blinken said on Monday, one year after the July 11 anti-government demonstrations in Cuba, that the United States admired the Cuban people’s “determination” to “repress” and supported their “struggle.”
The administration of US President Joe Biden praises “Indomitable resolve (of the Cuban people) in the face of oppression,” he said in a statement.
To the Cuban people: Americans watched in awe on July 11, 2021 as tens of thousands of you took to the streets to raise your voices for human rights, fundamental freedoms and a better life.“, he added.
Blinken said on Twitter: “The United States stands with the Cuban people, and we urge the Cuban regime to respect their voices“.
The July 11 and 12 protests over the “we’re hungry” and “freedom” cries resulted in one person being killed, dozens injured and more than 1,300 arrested, according to Cobalex, a Miami-based rights NGO.
Cuban authorities claim that the demonstrations were orchestrated by the United States.
“We stand with you, the Cuban regime, instead of welcoming the voices of the people, has sentenced hundreds of protesters to decades in prison.“, claimed.
According to the Prosecutor of the Cuban Republic, 790 prisoners were tried and 488 prisoners were given final sentences, many of them for sedition with prison sentences of up to 25 years.
The United States isunacceptableThat these protesters remained behind bars and confirms this He will continue to “support the Cuban people (…) in their struggle for democracy”.
According to Blinken, it is necessary to ensure that Cuban officials are held accountable for “violations of human rights,” condemn “restrictions on fundamental liberties and workers’ rights,” call for the unconditional release of political prisoners, and call on your allies to do so. same.
In Havana, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the island will celebrate this Monday the defeat of the “subversive coup”.
President Joe Biden has promised to review policy toward Cuba, under the US embargo since 1962, when he arrived at the White House in January 2021.
He announced in May that he would lift some restrictions on the island under his predecessor Donald Trump’s mandate, to facilitate immigration procedures, money transfers and flights, a decision that Havana praised.
(With information from AFP)
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