Thousands of people across the island marched through the streets in several towns and cities on 11 July, calling for democracy and sweeping economic reform in the country amid major food and medicine shortages. Scores of people were arrested by plain clothes police officers and many families say they still haven't heard from their loved ones or been informed of their whereabouts. 

Fifty-nine Cubans have been prosecuted so far for participating in unprecedented demonstrations against the government earlier this month, a senior official said Saturday. The charges were minor, and the total number of people detained has not been released amid complaints from relatives seeking information about loved ones.   

"Until yesterday, 19 judicial processes had reached the municipal courts of the country, cases involving 59 people accused of committing alleged crimes [during] these disturbances," Ruben Remigio Ferro, president of the Supreme Court, told reporters. 

On July 11 and 12, thousands of Cubans took to the streets, shouting "Freedom," "Down with the dictatorship" and "We're hungry" in the biggest protests since the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.  Hundreds of people were arrested and many face charges of contempt, public disorder, vandalism and propagation of the coronavirus epidemic for allegedly marching without face masks. Independent observers and activists have published lists of those arrested with at least 600 names on them. 

Ferro said a faster trial system was being used to prosecute the accused but made assurances that due process was being followed.  The rallies came as the country endures its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with chronic shortages of electricity, food and medicine amid an increase in COVID-19 cases. 

Anyelo Troya, one of the creators of an anti-government rap song adopted by protesters, was sentenced to a year in prison Wednesday for "public disorder," according to his family. 

Sources / More:: Voice of America, Sky News 

Pray (taken from Haven Today): 

The Cuban church continues to speak a message, not of violent uprising, but of peace in Christ. Please pray for a peaceful resolution between anti-government protesters and people in power. (Colossians 3:15)

Cuban Christians are also praying for their rulers and authorities to turn to Jesus. This is a tall order for a Communist, atheist state like Cuba. Please pray the Holy Spirit will begin a powerful work in their hearts.

The Covid variant that was so deadly in India is making its rounds in Cuba right now. As many have little access to medical supplies and health care, please pray for an end to the spread of this deadly variant.