Protesters in central Cuba looted and set fire to the Communist Party headquarters in Moron, Ciego de Avila, early Saturday morning, in what witnesses described as one of the most dramatic confrontations in the country’s unfolding wave of anti-communist demonstrations.
The uprising came hours after the Cuban Communist Party publicly acknowledged, for the first time, that it is in direct talks with the Trump administration over the future of the 67-year-old regime. The communist leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, did not disclose details of the talks. “In line with the consistent policy of the Cuban Revolution throughout its history, and guided by the Army General as the historic leader of our Revolution and by myself, and in coordination with the highest structures of the Party, State, and Government, Cuban officials have recently held talks with representatives of the Government of the United States,” he said. “These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions, through dialogue, to bilateral differences that exist between the two nations. There are international factors that have facilitated these exchanges.”
Video footage shared by Cuban news outlets Cubanet and Marti Noticias showed a massive bonfire outside the party building, with crowds audibly shouting “burn it all!” Local witnesses told Marti Noticias that protesters first ransacked the building, removing furniture and setting it ablaze.
One anonymous resident put the crowd at more than a thousand people. “They completely looted the Party (PCC), on the outside, they gave everything a go. The majority were 15-year-olds, many children, they have many children in prison”, the person told Marti Noticias, adding, “The degree of repression was 300 percent. More than four police officers were beaten and there were more than a thousand, more than two thousand people. I can tell you that the stores were finished and there were many and they already had to call the force of the special unit of Ciego de Avila and there was a very big, big, big, enormous repression.”
Crowds have been documented shouting “freedom!” and “down with communism!” across the country, while others reportedly added another chant: “Let Trump come.”
