Cuba temporarily lifts import duties on food, medicine and other essentials after unrest

Havana: Cuba has temporarily lifted import duties on food, medicine, and other essentials following recent unrest.

Thousands of Cubans risked jail by joining the biggest protests for decades against the island’s Communist government.

The protests are significant, because government critics face harsh punishments for dissent in Cuba.

Cuba is in the midst of an economic crisis and has been hit hard by US sanctions and Covid.

Cubans have been angered by the collapse of the economy, food and medicine shortages, price hikes and the government’s handling of the pandemic.

Protesters shouted “freedom” and “down with the dictatorship” in demonstrations across Cuba, including the capital Havana.

Dozens have been arrested nationwide since the unrest began on Sunday. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that one man had died.

Unauthorised demonstrations are illegal in the country, and anti-government protests are rare.