Raymar Aguado Hernández, a young Cuban activist and vocal critic of the communist regime, was detained by State Security (DSE) on Wednesday due to his public support for a university strike and opposition to the recent ETECSA rate increases. ETECSA is the state-owned telecommunications company.
Aguado shared on social media that around 11:00 a.m., an officer from the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and the DSE arrived at his home without identifying themselves to inform him that a patrol car awaited to take him to the Zanja and Dragones police station. There, he endured interrogation, insults, yelling, and threats. The agents labeled him a "counter-revolutionary," "anti-Cuban," and "mercenary," stated the former psychology student.
After the questioning, he received a "Warning Act," accusing him of inciting disorder and criminal activity by "motivating university students to defend their rights as outlined in university statutes," an action that—according to the authorities—constitutes a violation in Cuba.
During Aguado's detention, DSE agents also approached his father, showing him photos of his son's social media posts and urging him to dissuade Raymar from his activism.
Raymar Aguado has emerged as a prominent young voice of the critical left in Cuba, standing against political repression, social inequalities, and more recently, the ETECSA price hike, which has sparked discontent among students, users, and the general public. "My activism won't stop despite interrogations, threats, and warning acts. The rate hike is theft, and we must confront it," he asserted.
The situation of Raymar Aguado Hernández adds to the increasing list of detentions and harassment actions against activists, dissidents, journalists, and citizens who express disagreement with the Cuban government's policies.
Amid an intensifying economic and social crisis, the Cuban regime continues to bolster its repressive apparatus against any form of dissent, even when it arises from critical sectors within the left, which have traditionally aligned with the official revolutionary rhetoric.
Cuban Political Repression and Activism
What led to Raymar Aguado Hernández's detention?
Raymar Aguado Hernández was detained due to his public support for a university strike and his opposition to recent ETECSA rate increases. Authorities accused him of inciting disorder and criminal activity.
How did Raymar Aguado respond to the government actions against him?
Raymar Aguado stated that his activism would not cease despite facing interrogations, threats, and warning acts, emphasizing that the ETECSA rate hike is theft that needs to be addressed.
What is the broader context of Aguado's detention?
Aguado's detention is part of a broader pattern of increasing repression by the Cuban regime against activists, dissidents, journalists, and citizens who voice their opposition to government policies.