Updated Jul 14, 2021 - World

Cuba's government confirms death of man at protest

Rebecca Falconer

-Riot police walk the streets after a demonstration against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Arroyo Naranjo Municipality, Havana on July 12 — Riot police walk the streets after a demonstration against the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana on Monday. Photo: Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

Cuban officials on Tuesday confirmed the death of a 36-year-old man during anti-government demonstrations that were triggered by food and medicine shortages.

Driving the news: The government said Diubis Laurencio Tejeda died in Havana on Monday amid clashes between police and protesters during which an undisclosed number of people were arrested, per AP.

The big picture: Over 200 demonstrators have been detained or disappeared since protests began Sunday, according to the exiled Cubalex human rights group.

Cuba's government has limited access to some social media and messaging apps in response to the unrest, which President Miguel Díaz-Canel has blamed on U.S. sanctions
Amnesty International said it has received reports of "internet blackouts, arbitrary arrests" and "excessive use of force — including police firing on demonstrators."

What they're saying: Julie Chung, Acting Assistant Secretary for the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, in a statement Tuesday called for "the immediate release of those detained or missing for demanding freedom by exercising universal rights to free assembly [and] expression."

Go deeper... DHS chief tells Cubans, Haitians: "If you take to the sea, you will not come" to U.S.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Cuba's government confirms death of man at protest

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