Recent demonstrations in Maniabón, a town within Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, have led to the Cuban regime targeting even teenagers in their crackdown on dissent. On September 17, residents took to the streets demanding basic necessities such as electricity, water, food, and freedom, reported the platform Alas Tensas.
Among those detained is Eliane Martín, a 16-year-old pregnant teenager, who was arrested alongside her boyfriend, Pedro Luis Bello, for participating in the protests. Activist Niurka Préstamo brought attention to the precarious situation of the young girl and the absence of official information regarding her current status.
Arrest for Shouting “Freedom”
Another detained youth is Leroy Hernández Escalona, 17, who was taken into custody the same day for shouting “Freedom,” according to his father, Leodan Alberto, who resides in the United States. Leroy was moved to the Provincial Instruction Headquarters in Las Tunas, and there are still no details about his legal or physical condition.
A Recurring Pattern of Repression
The detention of these three young individuals is part of a broader, systematic pattern of repression against demonstrators, including minors—a strategy frequently used by the Cuban regime to intimidate and discourage future protests. On September 19, 2025, the People's Municipal Court of Bayamo sentenced 15 individuals for participating in protests in March 2024, further illustrating the use of exemplary punishments to curb free expression in Cuba.
The current situation of the three detained adolescents remains unknown, while human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that the regime employs arbitrary detentions, isolation, and threats as tools of social control, even against minors.
Cuba's Repression: 16 Bayamo Protesters Face Trial
On Tuesday, the Cuban government commenced a trial against 16 citizens involved in a peaceful protest in Bayamo on March 17, 2024, one of the largest anti-government demonstrations recorded in the eastern region of the island that year. The trial is taking place in the People's Municipal Court of Bayamo, Granma Province, amid strong criticism for its political nature. According to judicial sources within the regime, the prosecution accuses the demonstrators of alleged crimes such as “public disorder, attack, resistance, contempt, illegal possession of weapons, disobedience, and incitement to commit crimes.”
Cuban Regime Denies Presence of Imprisoned Protesters: “Not Even One”
In September, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío denied the existence of imprisoned protesters in Cuba and dismissed reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that highlight repression and hundreds of arbitrary arrests on the island. During an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan of Zeteo at the United Nations General Assembly sessions in New York, Fernández de Cossío claimed there are no jailed protesters in Cuba.
“Arbitrarily, no,” he responded when directly asked if people were imprisoned for protesting against the government. Hasan reminded him of reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that document systematic repression against dissidents, with hundreds of critics and demonstrators detained. The Cuban diplomat questioned the credibility of these reports, labeling them as lacking evidence.
He accused Amnesty International of being funded by organizations opposed to the Cuban government, which he claimed explains the bias in their reports. However, the journalist countered by pointing out that the organization has also strongly denounced governments in countries like the United States, Israel, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina.
Throughout the exchange, the deputy foreign minister refused to acknowledge any cases of political repression in Cuba, continuing to discredit international NGOs and questioning the legitimacy of their reports. He was also queried about Cuba's human rights record, lack of democratic freedoms, absence of a free press, and accusations of harboring individuals labeled as "terrorists" by the Trump administration.
Understanding Cuba’s Human Rights Situation
What sparked the recent protests in Las Tunas?
The protests in Las Tunas were sparked by residents demanding essential services such as electricity, water, food, and freedom, highlighting the government’s failure to provide these basic needs.
Who are the teenagers detained in the Las Tunas protests?
The teenagers detained include Eliane Martín, a 16-year-old pregnant girl, and her boyfriend Pedro Luis Bello, as well as Leroy Hernández Escalona, a 17-year-old who was arrested for shouting “Freedom.”
What are the charges against the Bayamo protesters?
The Bayamo protesters are facing charges such as public disorder, attack, resistance, contempt, illegal possession of weapons, disobedience, and incitement to commit crimes, according to the prosecution.