Africa Business Radio

The United States urged Cuban authorities to lift a ban on protests ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations, the State Department said in a statement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the Cuban government to respect Cubans’ rights, by allowing them to peacefully assemble and use their voices without fear of government reprisal or violence, and by keeping Internet and telecommunication lines open for the free exchange of information. Blinken hit out at the Cuban government’s crackdown on the protests and condemned intimidation tactics of blocking protests, firing opposition supporters and threatening them with detention ahead of Monday’s demonstrations.