Thousands of Cubans poured into the streets in cities around the country, including in the capital city of Havana.

Protestas contra el Gobierno de #Cuba en La Habana y la reacción del presidente y jefe del Partido Comunista Miguel Díaz-Canel pic.twitter.com/ee7gU4wIPS

— Reuters Latam (@ReutersLatam) July 12, 2021

Freedom > Socialism https://t.co/hRLfwpYr02

— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) July 12, 2021

We reported how the police responded, with some attacking the protesters, some being overwhelmed and chased away, with others joining the protesters.

The present leader of the country, President Miguel Diaz-Canel ordered “revolutionaries” (translation: Communist party loyalists) into the streets against the massive crowds calling for freedom and he blamed the U.S. for the people rising up. “The order to fight has been given – into the street, revolutionaries!” he said in an address.

He orders them to “confront’ people in the street.

🚨#SOSCuba🚨

Cuban dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel made a direct violent threat to pro-democracy protestors. They will have to get pass their “dead bodies” to end the dictatorship, he said. Adding: “We are willing to do everything.” #PatriaYVida pic.twitter.com/8HkclEn4gb

— Giancarlo Sopo (@GiancarloSopo) July 12, 2021

“We will do everything,” he says, to hold onto the ‘revolution'(translation: to hold onto their power).

It’s basically a call to combat and an invitation to civil war. But it remains to be seen how many people will answer that as it seems that at least at the moment the numbers are on the side of the protesters.

AP photographer, Ramon Espinosa, is attacked by the police while covering a demonstration against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana.

Thousands of Cubans took part in rare protests Sunday against the communist government

📸 Adalberto Roque pic.twitter.com/jw6bPlFTtQ

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 12, 2021

.@SarahMorenoENH of @elnuevoherald tells me a roundup of journalists has begun. She also says an @AP journalist had been attacked and arrested. #Cuba https://t.co/5cRVlcBLyI

— Michael K. Lavers (He/Él) (@mklavers81) July 12, 2021

Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung called for calm and expressed concern for “calls for combat.”

Peaceful protests are growing in #Cuba as the Cuban people exercise their right to peaceful assembly to express concern about rising COVID cases/deaths & medicine shortages. We commend the numerous efforts of the Cuban people mobilizing donations to help neighbors in need.

— Julie Chung (@WHAAsstSecty) July 11, 2021

We are deeply concerned by “calls to combat” in #Cuba. We stand by the Cuban people’s right for peaceful assembly. We call for calm and condemn any violence.

— Julie Chung (@WHAAsstSecty) July 11, 2021

But you notice what she doesn’t do? She doesn’t mention the calls against Communism, falsely framing it as a COVID issue. Who made those calls for combat? There’s a “both sides” thing to the second tweet, there’s no condemnation of the government at all. There’s no warning to the government.

We saw that same problem with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s response yesterday as well, framing it as about “food and medicine.” Now, obviously, that’s a part of it, but it’s because of 62 years of Communism and as the protesters are saying, they’ve had enough. It’s a huge thing for them to be saying, and a big risk of their lives to do it. If you’re not even recognizing that’s what it’s about, you’re refusing to recognize what they are truly risking their lives for – freedom.

The best response from the administration so far was from Jake Sullivan as he tried to clean up Julie Chung’s comments after she got backlash for her comments.

The U.S. supports freedom of expression and assembly across Cuba, and would strongly condemn any violence or targeting of peaceful protesters who are exercising their universal rights. https://t.co/FjI8bUHoQE

— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) July 12, 2021

But once again, he doesn’t make that recognition about what’s really going on in the country nor does he condemn the actions already taken against the protesters.