Activist Lara Crofs Faces Escalating Harassment as Cuban Regime Intensifies Pressure

Yamilka Lafita, who is widely recognized on social media as Lara Crofs, publicly reported on Thursday a troubling increase in the harassment she has been experiencing. This follows an incident where her home’s intercom system was vandalized and a State Security officer threatened her when she refused to comply with an unfounded summons. Her situation has garnered significant support from the Cuban activist community, with other dissenting women linking it to a systematic campaign by the regime to intimidate critics.

"They want us to leave," Crofs stated, expressing that the message makes her feel unsafe within her own home. The damage to the intercom has left her unable to see who is at her door, which she views as a serious breach of her security, especially given the harassment she has already faced. Notably, out of at least eight similar intercoms on her block, only hers was destroyed. "I am blind," she noted in a statement.

Crofs also recounted a recent confrontation with an unknown man who insulted and threatened her near a garbage container. This incident adds to a series of unsettling occurrences, including being trailed by individuals on unlicensed motorcycles and suspicious loitering around her residence, which she interprets as efforts to isolate and intimidate her.

"For the first time since 2018, I have felt afraid," she admitted. "I won't give them the satisfaction, but I am scared." The situation escalated further on Thursday morning when a man shouted outside her home, demanding to speak with her. Crofs sought clarification on the reason for the summons, but received no clear explanation. Instead, she was met with a chilling warning: "If you don't go, you'll find out what the consequences are," the supposed official reportedly told her.

Solidarity Among Activists: Dayana Prieto's Testimony

Meanwhile, activist Dayana Prieto, currently residing in Spain, shared her own experiences of aggression by regime supporters, recalling direct attacks on her home. "They threw eggs at my house in Cuba. The decapitated pigeons left at my door remain etched in my memory," she wrote.

Prieto voiced her support for Avana De La Torre, another activist who faced confrontation during a tour in Spain, stating that she would have physically supported her if present. "My solidarity is always there for anyone who wants it, with Avana and all the women who are assaulted," she added, accusing the regime of "fascism" and covering up repression with "cheap propaganda."

Holding the Cuban Government Accountable

Lara Crofs has held the State Security and the Cuban government directly accountable for any harm that may come to her or her family, including her partner Daniela Peral, who has also been targeted with threats. "I am not leaving Cuba, and I will not be silenced. The people have a right to freedom," she declared.

She concluded her denunciation with a quote from dissident Oswaldo Payá: "Change in Cuba is not an option but a necessity. The dictatorship will fall because the people have a right to freedom."

Crofs has consistently reported acts of repression, harassment, and threats by authorities, causing discomfort within the Cuban government. Her activism focuses on supporting vulnerable individuals on the island, organizing aid campaigns, and highlighting cases of extreme need. Despite facing obstacles such as arbitrary detentions, constant surveillance, and death threats, she remains committed to her cause.

Moreover, she has been the target of cyberattacks, with her social media accounts hacked, and has accused ETECSA of complicity in these actions, alleging efforts to silence her critical voice. Despite these challenges, Lara Crofs continues to fight for a free and just Cuba, exemplifying the risks activists face and the regime's relentless efforts to suppress dissenting voices.