The Cuban regime has once again resorted to using children in a protest, this time targeting the home of José Daniel Ferrer, which also serves as the headquarters for the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). This took place shortly after a police raid on Tuesday led to the arrest of the opposition leader.
On Wednesday morning, a large group of schoolchildren, accompanied by teachers, officials, and plainclothes State Security agents, paraded in front of the UNPACU headquarters in the Altamira neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. They chanted slogans like "Fidel Fidel!" and expressed support for the "revolution."
Ana Belkis Ferrer García, José Daniel Ferrer’s sister and an activist herself, shared a video of the march on social media. She remarked, "Communist march in front of UNPACU headquarters. Happening now, using teachers and students," as reported by a neighbor of the opposition leader.
Without parental consent, these children were taken from their schools to participate in one of the regime’s most detestable practices: the notorious "acts of repudiation" directed against Cuban dissidents and activists who dare to speak out against the oppressive regime.
Shameful Manipulation of Minors for Political Ends
The use of children in official propaganda events is not an isolated incident but a consistent tactic by the Cuban regime. In December 2023, the dictatorship mobilized schoolchildren for a "revolutionary reaffirmation" event outside the home of activist Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia. Earlier in January of the same year, children were again used to reenact Fidel Castro's arrival in Havana in 1959. Reports from 2020 already highlighted the use of minors in pro-regime demonstrations.
This exploitation of minors not only manipulates their childhood for ideological purposes but also constitutes a severe violation of children's rights and exemplifies the systematic indoctrination present in Cuban schools. Previous reports by CiberCuba have shown how the regime uses museums dedicated to Fidel Castro and school activities to instill a political narrative from a young age.
Unabashed Repression and Family Threats
Wednesday's protest was particularly reprehensible due to its proximity to the previous day's violent operation, where Ferrer was detained alongside his wife, fellow activist Nelva Ismaray Ortega Tamayo, and their young son.
The family reported that Ortega Tamayo was threatened by authorities with losing custody of her child if she continued her humanitarian work and political activism. The cynical decision to organize a political march involving children directly in front of the house where an opposition leader was violently arrested mere hours earlier, coupled with direct threats against his family, highlights the regime's inhumane level of repression.
The lack of moral boundaries demonstrated by those who organize and carry out these acts, involving even innocent children, is a stark reminder of the lengths the dictatorship will go to maintain its grip on power.
Political Context and Global Condemnation
José Daniel Ferrer had been released from prison in January of this year under a Vatican and Biden administration-brokered agreement after nearly four years of incarceration. However, his freedom was recently revoked on the grounds of violating his release conditions by continuing his activism.
Since his release, Ferrer resumed his community work from the UNPACU headquarters in Santiago de Cuba, providing food to vulnerable individuals. The repression against him and his circle has intensified in recent weeks, with increased surveillance, repudiation acts, and arbitrary arrests.
Numerous international organizations, along with the United States government, have strongly condemned Ferrer's new detention and the systematic harassment of his family and associates.
Understanding the Cuban Regime's Repression Tactics
What are "acts of repudiation" in Cuba?
"Acts of repudiation" are organized protests orchestrated by the Cuban regime, often involving students and state workers, to publicly denounce and intimidate dissidents and activists who oppose the government. These acts aim to silence opposition through public humiliation and pressure.
How does the Cuban regime use children for political purposes?
The Cuban regime frequently uses children in state-organized events to propagate their political agenda. This includes involving schoolchildren in marches and demonstrations intended to showcase support for the regime and denounce opposition, which is a violation of children's rights and an example of indoctrination.
What has been the international response to José Daniel Ferrer's situation?
International organizations and the United States government have condemned the Cuban regime's actions against José Daniel Ferrer, criticizing his recent arrest and the ongoing harassment of his family. These responses highlight global concern over human rights abuses in Cuba.