WASHINGTON — Protests have erupted in Cuba since Sunday, with hundreds taking to the streets to demand food and protest against the lack of electricity. Meanwhile, 1,200 miles away here in the District, many are uniting to raise awareness about what is happening inside the communist country.
Many believe it's a humanitarian crisis. Angel Roque, an executive chef with Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, is originally from Havana. He spoke with WUSA9 about his concerns.
"I won't sleep well until they get back on Saturday," Roque said.
Roque explained that his wife and daughter are in Havana, endeavoring to assist his mother-in-law.
"They're in Havana, and imagine, for them to be there, my wife has to buy a lot of food," Roque said.
Experts attribute Cuba's food shortage and power problem to its economic crisis.
"Imagine, 30 eggs cost you from 2,000 to 3,000 Cuban pesos, and people's pension for somebody over 65 is 2,500," Roque lamented. While he finds it difficult to discern the true extent of the situation, Roque is adamant that the people in Cuba need assistance.
On Monday, the Center for a Free Cuba protested outside the Cuban Embassy to draw attention to the worsening conditions on the island.
"They're left to suffer, and if they speak out, they're rounded up and arrested," said John Suarez, Executive Director of the group. The organization is advocating for the release of prisoners they claim were peacefully protesting. "Our message to the American people and the Biden administration is to stop trying to placate the dictatorship and directly aid the Cubans on the island."
Frank Calzon, who helped start the Center 22 years ago to advocate for a free Cuba, expressed uncertainty about whether these protests signal a regime change but noted a trend.
"Last year, there was a similar uprising, and now again, and we're not even in the summer yet," Calzon said. "Looking at the evidence and facts, the trend suggests that something is going to happen, and this trend has been accelerating over time."
Calzon warns that if nothing is done, Cuban people will continue to flee the island by any means possible, even risking their lives to do so.