A video featuring a 20-year-old Cuban woman has gained viral attention as she highlights the daily hardships faced in Cuba while invoking the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution. Amidst pressing demands for institutions to correct an error on her university degree, Ana Sofía Benítez Silvente shared her message on Monday, which subsequently led to threats and summons to her college. According to her, she was later informed that her academic degree is now "ready."
In the video, the young woman begins by reading Article 54 of the Constitution, which states, "The State recognizes, respects, and guarantees the freedom of thought, conscience, and expression," to underscore her right to speak: "I am here to express what I think." Despite graduating in February 2025 as a Certified Dental Prosthetics Technician, she has been unable to work in her field due to a name error on her diploma.
Faced with this bureaucratic hurdle and a mother with health issues, she resorted to other jobs to support her family. "It’s no secret that one, two, or even three salaries are not enough to live on; it takes a magician to survive," she stated. She then detailed a list of shortages: insufficient state salaries (citing 3,000 pesos monthly during social service), inflation, corruption, non-existent public transportation, unreliable water and gas supplies, expensive Internet rates, and most critically, prolonged power outages without notice.
"Sleep is a human necessity... when rest is deprived, the body becomes physically and mentally exhausted," she argued, linking power cuts to deteriorating health and questioning the healthcare system's ability to cope. Despite these challenges, Benítez Silvente does not wish to emigrate, though she admits the heartbreak of seeing family and friends leave "in search of a life where they can eat well, have water, and earn a decent wage."
She concludes by quoting José Martí: "Freedom is the right of every man to be honest, to think, and to speak without hypocrisy," serving as her ethical signature. Following her video, threats were directed at her, and university officials summoned her, later confirming that her diploma—delayed due to an administrative error—was "ready." While some criticized her for exposing these issues, her testimony resonated with thousands, prompting immediate reactions and reigniting discussions on freedom of speech, basic services, and institutional accountability in Cuba.
Key Questions About Freedom of Expression and Institutional Accountability in Cuba
What did Ana Sofía Benítez Silvente's video address?
Her video addressed the daily hardships faced by Cubans, including economic struggles, service shortages, and the broader issue of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Why was Ana Sofía's university degree delayed?
The delay was due to an error in her name on the diploma, preventing her from working in her field as a Certified Dental Prosthetics Technician.
How did the public respond to her video?
While some criticized her for exposing these issues, many were moved by her testimony, leading to a broader discussion on the country's institutional responsibilities.