‘I’m surprised it took so long’: Cubans find anger in their souls

Thousands took to the streets last week in unprecedented protests. Our writer meets some of those trying to force change

There's a man from the government playing love songs in the park. Orlando Fuentes has a table, an awning against the hard Caribbean sun, and a sound system from which floats Silvio Rodriguez's Cita con Angeles. A woman says that she can't listen, that it's a beautiful song ruined by being played at too many government rallies.

After 16 months of pandemic and a week of unprecedented protests, the Cuban government wants to soothe the anger. Music is being played in parks across the country.