'Around 100 protesters detained or disappeared' five days after Cuba anti-government demonstrations
Families of loved ones detained after the protest are appealing for help, ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy reports
Families of detained demonstrators who took to the streets of Cuba to protest against the government are still yet to hear from them, almost a week on.
More than 100 protesters are said to have been detained or have disappeared since the protests began on Sunday. It is unclear what condition they are in.
Protests began on Sunday over food shortages, high prices and other grievances against the government.
With limited or no access to internet, people are struggling to speak out about what is happening to them.
Solvig Font was able to access a few minutes of internet to tell her story. She was detained at the protest and 11 of her friends were taken away.
She claims the protests were peaceful until plain-clothed police officers arrived at the scene.
Speaking to ITV News, she said change must come: "We have rights and we have a lot of problems and the state have to answer to us.
"The state has to change because we are in misery."
Ms Font is under surveillance by the state.
One man died during the protests, but those released from custody believe the number is much higher.
Diubis Laurencio Tejeda, 36, died on Monday during a clash between protesters and police in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality on the outskirts of Havana, the Interior Ministry of Cuba confirmed on Tuesday.
Julio Llopiz-Casal, a protester, says he believes police have killed people by beating them and with weapons.
He said: "There has been a lot of police violence, the police have killed people.
"They've killed people with physical blows, they've killed people using their weapons."
Henry Constantin, a journalist at the protests, remains in detention.
His mother Maria told ITV News her son now fears he and his colleagues will face long prison sentences.
"I want to ask the world for their help, for the freedom of my son, for the freedom of other journalists," she said.
"They are valuable young people, young people who need help in Cuba."
The demonstrations are some of the biggest Cuba has seen in years.
The country, which is tightly controlled, is struggling with its worst economic crisis in decades due to US sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
It is also facing a surge of Covid-19 cases.