The Cuban initiative Fuera de la Caja has publicly reported an incident involving a supposed State Security agent visiting their home. Despite the intimidation, they have vowed to continue sharing their content.
"We will keep making videos... they won't intimidate us, they won't silence us," they declared. This announcement was shared through a video on social media platforms.
Members of the project recounted that on Wednesday around noon, a man arrived at their residence identifying himself as "an agent of State Security, a MININT agent." He introduced himself as Dainel Correa Quintana and claimed to be conducting "some sort of census" on the residents of the building, which the group found "suspicious."
The activists explained that their father refused to provide any information. "My dad refused to give him any information," they detailed in the video.
They also mentioned that prior to visiting their home, the alleged agent stopped by their grandmother's house, pretending to be a friend, aiming to locate where the young activists were.
Members of Fuera de la Caja expressed that they had anticipated such an encounter: "We knew this would happen, that the persecution would start at any moment," they stated, defending that expressing oneself is not a crime: "expressing oneself is not a crime."
As the video concluded, one of the young activists thanked their followers for their support and urged them to share the complaint "so it reaches more voices, more people."
Breaking the Mold: A Call for Change
The name of the project, Fuera de la Caja Cuba, translates to "thinking outside the box," encouraging free, creative thinking not constrained by imposed limits. In the Cuban context, this message carries significant weight: it calls for breaking free from the mold of uniform thought, questioning official propaganda, and imagining a different nation through citizen independence and a diversity of ideas.
In a society where dissent is still punished, "thinking outside the box" becomes an act of intellectual and moral defiance.
"Disagreeing is not a crime, especially not with a political project that has brought us so much misery," stated one participant. Meanwhile, other young activists emphasized that "no one will silence us because we are all El4tico."
The group Fuera de la Caja Cuba, which boasts over seven thousand followers on Instagram, has recently shared messages of support and reports on the repression occurring on the island.
In their biography, they quote José Martí: "Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and speak without hypocrisy," a motto that has gained strength following recent arrests.
State Security Intimidation in Cuba: Key Questions
What is Fuera de la Caja and what do they stand for?
Fuera de la Caja is a Cuban project advocating for free and creative thinking beyond imposed limits. They challenge the official propaganda and envision a different Cuba through independent citizenry and pluralistic ideas.
How did the supposed State Security agent try to gather information?
The agent, Dainel Correa Quintana, falsely presented himself as conducting a census on building residents, which was perceived as suspicious by the group. He also pretended to be a friend at their grandmother's house to locate the activists.
What actions are Fuera de la Caja taking in response to the intimidation?
Fuera de la Caja has decided to continue their activities, including making videos, and have shared their experience on social media to raise awareness and gather support from their audience.