Writer and comedian Jorge Fernández Era has labeled State Security officers as "fascists" following a physical assault and threats to his life last Friday. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he recounted the attack and revealed that his attempt to file a complaint against the assailants at the Diez de Octubre police station was dismissed. Despite having a "certificate of injuries" from Miguel Enríquez Hospital, he was told the damages were minor.
"Apparently, the bruises on my face, ribs, and back are just collateral scratches: someone should tell Lieutenant Colonel Yoán to try harder next time and gouge out an eye," he quipped sarcastically. Fernández Era expressed his distrust in Cuba's justice system, stating that if real justice existed, the Prosecutor's Office would have resolved his nearly two-and-a-half-year-old disobedience case, which should have been closed within a year, and lifted the two precautionary measures imposed on him.
Details of the Brutal Assault
Describing the assault, Fernández Era explained that after he refused to stay home and skip his usual protest at Central Park, an officer took him to "Zanja Unit." He was held in a cell with five other detainees for an hour before being moved to a small room with two chairs, one of which lacked a backrest. In this room, two State Security officers interrogated him, one identifying himself as Yoán.
“During the argument, with cowardice flowing from his core, Yoán struck me repeatedly while the other officer restrained me,” Fernández Era recounted, having already shared images of his injuries on Friday. The ordeal didn't end there; he was subjected to psychological torture, including threats to pull out his teeth one by one and menacing promises to "remove him from the path" through contaminated food, hidden traps, and other means he couldn't recall due to the severity of the beating.
Condemnation of Human Rights Violations
Fernández Era feels justified in calling his captors fascists, citing their disregard for the Constitution and Criminal Procedure Law, which state no one should be jailed without committing a crime and detainees mustn’t be denied contact with family or basic needs like water. "One shouldn't expect 'kisses' from them, but neither should there be a socialist competition with their Batista-era tyrannical friends," he remarked.
He concluded his post with a quote from the late dictator Fidel Castro, who once claimed the Cuban police respected "the physical integrity of man as sacred." On Friday, Fernández Era shared photos showing bruises on his face, ribs, and a bleeding ear.
Ongoing Repression of Political Dissent
In April, State Security agents arrested Fernández Era as he prepared for his regular civil protest at Central Park, a monthly act he has performed for the past two years. His wife, Laideliz Herrera Laza, reported that he was intercepted near their home and taken to the Aguilera Unit.
The writer calls for the end of Cuba's totalitarian regime, demanding respect for civil rights and an end to due process violations by the PNR, Prosecutor's Office, and State Security. The repression of dissent continues to be a persistent issue in Cuba, where authorities routinely criminalize peaceful protests and any form of public dissent.
Understanding Repression and Justice in Cuba
What led to Jorge Fernández Era's assault by State Security officers?
Jorge Fernández Era was assaulted after refusing to stay home and miss his protest at Central Park, leading to his detention and subsequent beating by State Security officers.
What actions did Fernández Era take following the assault?
Fernández Era attempted to file a complaint against the officers involved, but his efforts were dismissed by the police, who claimed the injuries were minor.
How has the Cuban regime responded to dissent?
The Cuban regime continues to suppress dissent through intimidation, arrests, and criminalization of peaceful protests, as seen in the ongoing repression of voices like Fernández Era's.