Protests in Cuba: Should the government be worried?

Many Cubans say they have had enough of government policies and have taken to the streets demanding the president to step down.

They are also calling for more freedom and are using slogans against the governing Communist Party. Dozens of people have been arrested in a crackdown by security forces.

Activists are using social media to gather support, but now there are restrictions on internet access.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who succeeded Raul Castro this year, called on his supporters to defend the country.

He blamed the turmoil on decades-long US sanctions, which have dried up cash resources.

Where does this leave the Communist Party in Havana?

Presenter: Sohail Rahman

Guests:

Gregory Biniowsky – Cuba analyst and a strategic consultant

Rosa María Payá – founder of CubaDecide, a pro-democracy movement and executive director of the Foundation for Pan American Democracy

Hal Klepak – author of Cuba’s Military 1990–2005, and a professor at Royal Military College of Canada