Protests take place across Cuba as the country faces shortages of COVID-19 vaccines

The protestors have also been angered by the economic struggles in the country.

Thousands of Cubans took part in the biggest protests the country has seen in decades against the island’s communist government.

Footage on social media sees crowds marching through cities, including the capital Havana, shouting “Down with the dictatorship!”

The population has been angered by the collapse of the Cuban economy  – which shrank by 11% last year after being hit hard by the pandemic and US sanctions – and the nation’s struggle with the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, Cuba recorded nearly 7,000 daily infections and 47 deaths. The protestors were demanding a faster vaccination programme to halt the spread of the virus.

This is in front of the Capitolio in Havana. Multiple people have been arrested as anti-government protests go on. A heavy police presence surrounds the area and pro-government supporters have come in to hold counter rallies. pic.twitter.com/0Tm31cIg4C

— Patrick Oppmann CNN (@CNN_Oppmann) July 11, 2021

The president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has condemned the protestors, saying that they were a provocation by mercenaries hired by the US.

He said in an address on TV: “The order to fight has been given – into the street, revolutionaries!”