Two animals that had wandered off from Ariel Ruiz Urquiola's farm and were held for two days by a local resident have finally been returned home. The neighbor, initially resistant to negotiating with the Cuban scientist's mother—who resides in Switzerland due to a ban on her entering the island—sought intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture rather than discussing any form of compensation with the Ruiz Urquiola family. Known locally as El Niño Dopico, the neighbor involved authorities from the municipal agricultural office, as confirmed by the activist during live broadcasts on CiberCuba, aimed at publicizing the unfolding situation.
During this ordeal, the animals were left tied up under the sun for hours, causing concern for Ariel Ruiz Urquiola's mother, who feared they might be confiscated. The situation was particularly distressing because she had assisted in the birth of one of the calves. However, the media attention surrounding the incident eventually led to a resolution.
The Regime's Persistent Pressure
The same day the animals were seized, a worker at Ruiz Urquiola's usufruct farm in Viñales, Pinar del Río, resigned. Due to restrictions imposed by the regime, Ariel Ruiz Urquiola has been unable to renew the worker's contract, which has become a pretext for the Agricultural Ministry to demand the evacuation of the farm and confiscation of the livestock.
Last November, Communist Party officials, reminiscent of the old Rural Guard, visited the farm to announce their intention to terminate the usufruct contract and enforce a forced sale of the cattle. On February 21, they took two animals from the property. While their methods have varied, the objective remains the same: to systematically remove all livestock from the farm. Ariel Ruiz Urquiola's mother is determined to stay in Viñales "until the last cow."
Standing Firm in Protest
Meanwhile, Ariel Ruiz Urquiola has launched a peaceful protest outside the Bundeshaus in Bern, Switzerland, advocating for his family's rights and raising awareness of crimes against humanity. "I'm here to urge Swiss parliamentarians to reconsider the concept of crimes against humanity in line with the Rome Statute, which involves the systematic perpetration of crimes by those governing Cuba, beyond mere statistics," he explained in a statement to CiberCuba. His campaign, "Recognizing Crimes Against Humanity in Switzerland," carries the slogan "Justice Beyond Numbers—Make It Right!"
In a video message to CiberCuba, Ruiz Urquiola expressed gratitude to the platform's viewers for their support in recovering the two animals while his mother continues to fight for the return of the pregnant cow, Rita, and the donkey, Guana. These animals were forcibly taken on February 21 by the Livestock Chief, Carlos Fleitas, on orders from the Minagri delegate in Viñales, Jorge Miguel Martínez Hernández.
"I want to thank everyone for helping to amplify this blatant violation of human rights against an elderly woman, my mother, and the animals, who also have rights. But in a country where people lack rights, what rights can animals possibly have?" Ruiz Urquiola questioned.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ariel Ruiz Urquiola's Case
Why were the animals taken from Ariel Ruiz Urquiola's farm?
The animals were taken as part of an ongoing effort by the Cuban authorities to exert pressure on Ariel Ruiz Urquiola by targeting his farm and livestock, citing contractual issues as a pretext.
What actions is Ariel Ruiz Urquiola taking in response?
Ariel Ruiz Urquiola is conducting a peaceful protest outside the Swiss Parliament, aiming to raise awareness about human rights abuses in Cuba and seeking international recognition of these issues.