An audio leak has unveiled the tense atmosphere preceding the arrest of Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Gómez, highlighting threats and altercations between regime agents and the family of the young pediatrician. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the recording, which confirms the climate of fear and intimidation surrounding Sierra's arrest following the protests in Baire, Santiago de Cuba.
Captured on a Friday morning at the doctor's home, the recording features a Ministry of the Interior (MININT) officer notifying Erlis Sierra of his summons. The officer’s tone indicates more than a simple interview, serving instead as a stark warning: “You’ve been summoned three times and didn’t go… you’re going to have problems. You’ll be charged, and they’ll come for you. They’ll come with everything to get you. Do you know what was there last night? They’re coming to take you.”
The presence of law enforcement caused confusion and distress among those with the doctor. A woman’s voice repeatedly questions, “What is this for?” and “Why him, if he’s not a leader or anything?” while trying to comprehend the reason for the summons.
Another segment reveals his mother’s fear about what they perceive as an unjust act: “No, because they want to make him a ringleader, like he’s in charge and he’s not… Let it be clear he isn’t a leader, he wasn’t in charge of anything.”
The atmosphere is tense. Amid fragmented phrases and overlapping voices, the uncertainty about what will happen once the doctor faces the authorities is palpable. One person, resigned, states, “He will go in, and we will wait for him outside.”
Hours later, family members confirmed that Erlis Sierra was detained upon arriving at the police unit and was handcuffed and transported to Santiago de Cuba.
Accusations Against Communist Party Officials
Pediatrician Erlis Sierra Gómez, a father of two, known in his community for treating patients even without resources, had become a symbol of public discontent after confronting local leaders, including the first secretary of the Communist Party in Contramaestre, Yoendri Oconor Reyes, demanding solutions for the crisis in water, food, and basic services.
In a widely shared exchange, Sierra firmly asserted, “I have freedom of expression here in the Constitution.”
According to new reports from the page La Tijera, Oconor Reyes was aware of the operation that led to the doctor’s arrest, despite having promised that “no one would be arrested.”
La Tijera also reported that nurse Humberto Nieto Sierra was arrested in the same wave of repression and taken to the MININT Operations in Santiago.
These accusations suggest a political command chain extending from the Municipal Committee to the provincial PCC authorities, reinforcing the idea of a coordinated response to silence protests and critical voices in Baire.
The newly revealed audio confirms what many Cubans already suspected: the cost of speaking out in Cuba remains fear, threat, and punishment. The agent’s voice warning “they’re coming to take you” encapsulates the harshness of a system intolerant of dissent, even from those who devote their lives to saving others.
As the regime attempts to quell protests through arrests and silence, Erlis Sierra’s voice—recorded, suppressed, and echoed—resonates as a reflection of a weary nation. In every neighborhood of Baire, Santiago, or Havana, the phrase “I have freedom of expression” continues to stand as a declaration of dignity against fear.
Understanding the Risks for Cuban Activists
What triggered the arrest of Dr. Erlis Sierra Gómez?
Dr. Erlis Sierra Gómez was arrested following his public demands for solutions to the crisis in basic services, which challenged local Communist Party leaders.
What does the leaked audio reveal about the Cuban regime?
The leaked audio highlights the regime's use of intimidation and threats to silence dissent, showcasing the fear and punishment faced by those who speak out.
Who else was affected by the wave of repression in Baire?
In addition to Dr. Sierra, nurse Humberto Nieto Sierra was also arrested, indicating a broader crackdown on dissent in the region.