Link To Article: https://iwpr.net/global-voices/historic-protests-sweep-cuba
Anti-government protests are taking place in Cuba the past week after a surge of Covid-19 cases, leaving shortages of food, medicine, and other basic goods. There have been around 50 peaceful protests with thousands of participants chanting anti-government slogans such as “Homeland and Life”. The President of Cuba went on national television and stated, “We are not going to surrender our sovereignty, the independence of our people, or the freedom of our nation,” Following this showing, regime forces took to the streets to disperse protestors resulting in beatings and injuries. Several Cuban opposition activists have also gone missing unsuspectedly. The country has not seen protests this extreme with as much of an influence since 1994 in what was called the Maleconazo.
When I read this story, it reminded me of the United States vs Nicaragua because of the pressure it was putting on an authoritarian government. This is because of the democratic peace theory and the idea that the spread of democracy is needed. It would be in the United States favor to topple Cuba as it would build better relations and more. I find this hard to happen however, because it is very rare for an authoritarian state to switch to democracy. If the protests and violence were to continue, there is a good possibility the Cuban government excesses their power over the people which can lead to human rights violations.
Authoritarian states are the best example from class that relates to this article. An authoritarian state is one with a centralized government power along with political repression and exclusion of potential challengers. This is exactly what the Cuban government is as it attempts to diminish any threat that could overthrow the government.