Cubans living in Miami took to the streets today in solidarity with protests taking place across Cuba centring around dismal economic conditions there.

Commentators are of the view that this poses the greatest threat to Fidel Castro’s long standing communist regime now being perpetuated by President Miguel Diaz-Camel.

Earlier today, protestors shut down the Palmetto Expressway in South Florida. Groups in Miami have said they are willing to travel to Cuba by boat in order to bring much-needed supplies to the beleaguered Caribbean country.

Mobilisation in Miami among Cuban-Americans has largely taken place via social media with people of Cuban descent calling on the US Government to intercede.

“This was done today in the midst of these historic protests in Cuba and this is about the history of the fighting for freedom in Cuba which continues until today. This does not just impact Cuba, it impacts the United States,” said Mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez.

Protestors gathered at the Pelican Harbour Marina are telling reporters that the Cuban Government has shut down the Internet and telephone service there to prevent protests escalating and toppling the government.

“Life in Cuba is intolerable. We have poor living conditions, little food and we can’t get foreign exchange. Medical care is a joke and the Government is repressive. We need the world to know what is happening here and come to our aid,” said Cuban photographer Frances Lopez.

Popular Cuban-American singer, Pitbull, taking to Instagram, wrote: “Freedom is everything. We support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom in Cuba.”

Taking in the protests in Little Havana in North Miami and Hialeah in Miami-Dade, filmmaker Ernesto Rebenga said: “These scenes could come straight out of a Tom Wolfe novel. It would be interesting to hear what he would have made of this today. May his soul rest in peace.”

President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel has blamed the United States for inciting the protests.

In a public broadcast he declared: “The approach wasn’t peaceful. It’s legitimate to feel dissatisfaction.

“The US has pursued a policy of economic suffocation to provoke social unrest in the country. We call on all revolutionaries of the country, all the communists to go out in the streets where the provocations will occur from now on and in the next few days. And to face them in a decisive, firm and courageous way.”

US President Joe Biden said: “The United States calls on the Cuban regime to hear their people and serve their needs at this vital moment rather than enriching themselves.”