The trial date has been set for Cuban historian and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández and fellow activist Jenny Pantoja, who have been outspoken critics of the Cuban regime. This comes after more than seven months of delays, which López Hernández describes as a politically motivated charade orchestrated by the political police.
In a Facebook post, López Hernández revealed that both women were officially charged on June 18, 2024, with what she calls "fabricated crimes" by the police under the guidance of Counterintelligence authorities.
“The process was dragged out unnecessarily and could not be postponed any longer,” she stated, emphasizing that the delays were not due to any privileges but because of the political implications of legally pursuing two women known for their academic and social influence both within Cuba and internationally.
Public Hearing Scheduled for January 30
According to the official summons, the court hearing is scheduled for Friday, January 30, at 9:00 a.m. at the Municipal Court of Matanzas. Despite the regime's portrayal of it as a "public" hearing, López Hernández cautioned that in Cuba, such transparency is never truly honored.
A Systemic Intimidation Tactic
The historian described the trial as yet another sham used by an exclusionary system to intimidate those attempting to exercise their civil rights.
“This trial is just another charade by an exclusionary political system designed to instill fear among citizens... They will not succeed,” she asserted.
López made it clear that neither she nor Pantoja would accept any outcome other than full exoneration: “We will not accept any verdict other than complete acquittal. We will not trade our freedom for silence.”
State Security's Overreach
The activist highlighted the lack of justice in Cuban judicial processes, asserting that "all decisions are controlled by the political police," and warned that this case might have severe repercussions for those behind it.
“This case will be costly, not so much for the accused, but for their accusers,” she declared.
Call to Cuban Intellectuals
In a powerful message, López Hernández urged Cuban intellectuals to acknowledge their civic responsibility, criticizing the silence of many sectors in the face of repression.
“We must either confront the severity of what is happening in our country or continue to be... intellectuals blind to anything but their own work,” she wrote, referencing the iconic painting by Marcelo Pogolotti.
The trial of Alina Bárbara López Hernández and Jenny Pantoja represents an escalation in the crackdown on activists, journalists, and independent intellectuals in Cuba, amid a backdrop of social decay, relentless power outages, and the complete closure of spaces for dissent.
Key Questions about the Trial of Cuban Activists
What are the charges against Alina Bárbara López and Jenny Pantoja?
The charges against López and Pantoja are described as "fabricated crimes" constructed by the police with guidance from Counterintelligence authorities.
When and where is the trial scheduled to take place?
The trial is set for January 30 at 9:00 a.m. at the Municipal Court of Matanzas.
Why is the trial considered politically significant?
The trial is politically significant because it involves two women with a high level of academic and social recognition, making the political cost of prosecution high for the regime.
What impact could this trial have on Cuban society?
The trial could further intimidate citizens and suppress dissent, while also galvanizing opposition against the regime's tactics of repression.