Dr. Erlis Sierra Yau, a Cuban pediatrician and father of two, was handcuffed and transferred from Contramaestre to Santiago de Cuba following his arrest on Friday amid a crackdown by the regime after the "cacerolazo" protest in Baire, which took place this week in the eastern province.
According to a video shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, officers from the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) visited Dr. Sierra's home in the El Transformador neighborhood on Friday morning. They requested that he come to the police station "for a conversation." However, upon arrival, he was detained along with another resident and taken out through the back of the station, as recounted by eyewitnesses.
Shortly after, his mother reported that the police informed the family about Erlis's transfer to the Operations Unit of the Ministry of the Interior in Santiago de Cuba. They provided no details about his legal status and denied him access to legal counsel. "I am desperate. I know nothing about him. My son did not bang pots or harm anyone; he merely demanded solutions for the people," the distressed mother declared.
Sierra emerged as a prominent figure in the peaceful protests in Baire after a video circulated showing him urging local authorities to address the shortages of water, food, and basic services. He reminded them that the Cuban Constitution guarantees freedom of speech. "I am not afraid to go there because, according to the Constitution, I have freedom of expression," he stated during his interaction with municipal leaders.
The demonstrations in Baire, located in the Contramaestre municipality, have been among the most significant in Santiago de Cuba since July 2021. On Thursday night, residents banged pots and shouted "Freedom!" and "Down with Díaz-Canel!" amidst a power outage lasting over 30 hours. Shortly thereafter, the regime cut off Internet access and deployed police forces to quell the protests.
In addition to Sierra, Osmani Heredia and Humberto Nieto Sierra, the latter a nurse at the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital, were also detained. Activists and residents of the municipality report a "witch hunt" against protesters, with summonses, threats, and surveillance in the most active neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, on social media, the hashtag #FreeErlisSierra continues to gather messages of support both inside and outside the island. Users and human rights organizations are calling for his immediate release and an end to the repression of those who protested peacefully in Baire.
As of now, Cuban authorities have not provided any official information about Erlis Sierra's whereabouts or the charges against him.
Key Questions on the Baire Protests and Arrests
What triggered the protests in Baire?
The protests in Baire were sparked by shortages of essential services like water and food, along with prolonged power outages, which led residents to demand solutions from local authorities.
Why was Dr. Erlis Sierra a significant figure in these protests?
Dr. Erlis Sierra became a key figure in the protests after a video showed him demanding answers from local officials, citing the Cuban Constitution's guarantee of freedom of expression.
How has the Cuban government responded to these protests?
The Cuban government responded to the Baire protests by deploying police forces, cutting off Internet access, and conducting arrests, including that of Dr. Erlis Sierra and other local residents.