Cubans Protest Food and Electricity Shortages in Rare Demonstrations

There have been multiple reports of protests taking place in Cuba due to food and electricity shortages. According to an AFP report, a resident in Cuba stated that two truckloads of rice were delivered during the unrest. The protests were sparked by the lack of electricity and food supplies, with social media platforms filled with images of the demonstrations. The government has reportedly cut mobile data services to prevent reporting on the unrest. Cuba is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Miguel Diaz-Canel has called for calm and blamed external factors, including the United States, for the country's struggles. Additionally, a wave of blackouts has left power supplies cut for up to 18 hours or more. There seems to be some consistency among the articles regarding the reasons for the protests and the government's response, but there is a discrepancy in the number of protestors and the prison sentences handed out.