Cuban YouTuber Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, better known online as Anna Bensi, reported an incident involving state security agents who visited her home to deliver a police summons for her mother, Caridad Silvente. The event was captured on video.
The footage shared by Benítez shows a plainclothes policeman wearing sandals, accompanied by another man who did not identify himself and remained turned away from the camera throughout the encounter. During the exchange, the officer clarified that the summons was ordered by State Security, requiring attendance at a police station the following day at 2 PM.
“I have nothing to do with this, but State Security is the one instructing me to summon you for tomorrow at 2 PM,” the officer is heard saying in the video while handing over the document.
Caridad Silvente, the mother of the content creator, questioned the procedure, pointing out that, per regulations, such summonses should be delivered at least 72 hours in advance. She refused to sign the document but expressed her willingness to comply with the appearance.
After the visit, Benítez noted that the men had arrived on a motorcycle with an unreadable license plate, and she alleged that the summons was flawed. She explained that the document mentioned a "Captain Alberto" without a last name, while the signature read "Captain Rafael," and the section meant to indicate the reason for the summons was left blank.
The young YouTuber perceived the summons as an attempt to intimidate her due to her outspoken presence on social media.
“I know they’re looking for a justified way to get to me. I’m not afraid; they don't intimidate me, and I will not be silenced because I'm just exercising my right to express myself,” she stated in her message.
Benítez, a 21-year-old from Havana, has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, where she discusses everyday life in Cuba, economic hardships, and the lack of freedoms on the island. Her content recently went viral, leading to international media attention.
She has previously reported facing pressures related to her digital activities, including surveillance in her surroundings, internet connectivity issues, and professional difficulties.
Escalating Pressures on Families of Digital Creators
The summons to Benítez's mother comes amid other recent reports of pressure on families of young content creators critical of the regime within the island. On Tuesday, members of the digital project “Fuera de la Caja” claimed that State Security agents had intimidated relatives of several members, warning them about their online activities.
“They want to imprison us, and now they’re using our families to threaten us,” one young woman declared after sharing her father's testimony, who stated that Ministry of the Interior officers warned him that the youths could be jailed for their posts.
Activists believe these actions are part of a strategy to apply pressure on a new generation of Cubans using the internet to criticize the country's situation.
Understanding State Security Pressure on Cuban Content Creators
Why was Anna Sofía Benítez's mother summoned by State Security?
State Security issued a summons for Anna Sofía Benítez's mother, which is perceived as an intimidation tactic against Benítez due to her critical social media content about the Cuban regime.
What inconsistencies did Anna Sofía Benítez find in the summons document?
Benítez noted that the summons mentioned a "Captain Alberto" without a last name, while the signature read "Captain Rafael," and the reason for the summons was not provided.
How have other digital creators in Cuba been affected by similar pressures?
Other creators, like those involved in the “Fuera de la Caja” project, report that their families have been intimidated by State Security as warnings against their online critical activities.