On 11 July 2021, tens of thousands of Cubans took to the streets across the island — the largest protests in sixty years — chanting "Freedom" and "Homeland and Life." The government deployed security forces and state-mobilized civilians. HRW documented over 1,000 arrested. Hundreds received sentences of up to 25 years. Cuba has maintained a one-party state under Communist Party control since 1959. The UN Human Rights Council has repeatedly raised concerns over political prisoners and restrictions on civil society.