The desperation for food and basic needs in socialist Cuba led hundreds of Cubans in Holguin to confront Castro dictatorship police who continue to exert violent control over the population.
Via Martí Noticias (my translation):
Confrontation between civilians and police leads to at least 30 arrests in an Holguin neighborhood
A police operation in the Alcides Pino neighborhood of Holguin had to hastily retreat when a group of residents confronted the officers, according to a video making the rounds on social media.
The incident took place on Rio street, where clandestine vendors set up to sell their merchandise, says Alberto Calderon Pelegrin, who lives a few blocks away from the confrontation.
“The police went after the people who were selling, illegally, basic necessities and food you can’t find anywhere else. They arrived in a very aggressive manner, abusive, like they almost always do. That took place on Rio street here in Alcides Pino,” he said.
“The items you find there are double the price of what they are sold at by the State, but the problem is you can’t find them in the stores because of the shortages. Therefore, the only way the population can survive is to buy them on the black market. When the people saw they wanted to seize all the merchandise, they started yelling ‘abusers!’ at the uniformed police and a riot broke out, forcing the officers to run off,” he explained.
The repressive forces returned with substantial reinforcements and arrested more than 30 people. Radio Television Martí attempted to obtain information regarding their status from police authorities, but received no response.
“They came back with the ‘Black Berets’ and took some away in a bus. I don’t know what happened to them or what they were charged with, whether for illicit sales or for fighting with the police,” said Calderon.
Continue reading (in Spanish) HERE.
Of course the police were overbearing and abusive. They’re supposed to be, in order to intimidate.