The United States Embassy in Cuba has called on the Cuban regime to cease its intimidation tactics against young content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known online as Anna Bensi, and her mother, Caridad "Cary" Silvente. The demand follows a recent police interrogation and legal threats they faced in Havana.
Through a post on social media platform X, the U.S. diplomatic mission directly questioned the actions taken by Cuban authorities against the two women.
"We haven't had the pleasure of meeting Anna Bensi or her mother, but why are the regime's authorities summoning them? Why are they being threatened?" the embassy inquired.
The statement also included a warning to the regime officials involved in these repressive measures.
"To those in the regime who abuse citizens, we will ask our 'Visa Revoker' (undersecretary of the State Department) to ensure you never enter the U.S. Report them!" the message declared.
Additionally, the embassy used the opportunity to call for the release of members of the El4tico project, asking, "By the way, where is El4tico? Release them!"
This message serves as an international show of support against the harassment and political pressure faced by the young influencer and her family, amid an environment of increasing surveillance and intimidation against critical content creators in Cuba.
Pressure on Influencer's Family
The U.S. embassy's response came after Cary Silvente, Anna Bensi's mother, was summoned for questioning at a police unit in Alamar, Havana.
Silvente attended the interrogation and emerged hours later with a formal charge for filming the officers who visited her home, along with a house arrest order and a directive to secure legal counsel within five days.
She recounted that, upon arriving at the police station, she was led into an office where two men and a woman, who she identified as State Security agents, interrogated her for about two hours.
Silvente described the experience as "horrible" and disclosed that she was threatened with a potential five-year prison sentence.
The interrogators labeled her a "bad mother," accused Anna Bensi of being "counter-revolutionary," and alleged that she was conspiring and receiving instructions from the United States.
Silvente opted to answer only essential questions and refused to sign any documents presented to her without a lawyer present.
Anna Bensi Speaks Out
Following the charges against her mother, Anna Bensi asserted that the interrogation aimed to "intimidate, pressure," and "destabilize" her.
According to Bensi, the police claimed her mother "exposed a State Security agent," a man with a family who was allegedly threatened, and warned her that if anything happened to his relatives, Silvente would be held accountable.
The influencer firmly denied these accusations. "My mom is not a criminal; my mom and I are completely innocent," she stated.
Anna reported that they have been continuously threatened and held State Security directly responsible for any harm they might suffer.
"If anything happens to my mom or me, you will be to blame," she declared.
Anna believes the summons is a form of pressure due to her online activity, where she discusses Cuba's economic crisis, daily life, and lack of freedoms.
The 21-year-old Havana native has gained popularity on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, where her videos about Cuban reality have achieved wide reach and have even been cited by international media.
She also mentioned that authorities informed her mother that she herself would be summoned soon.
In anticipation of this, Bensi stated she would not be silenced. "You can imprison or kill people, but ideas cannot be contained," she asserted.
In her message, the young woman intertwined political denunciation with religious references, maintaining that both she and her mother act "entirely by faith."
The U.S. embassy's public support now adds international pressure on a case that has become emblematic of the harassment faced by citizens and content creators who expose the country's reality on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Anna Bensi Case
What triggered the U.S. Embassy's response?
The U.S. Embassy reacted following the police interrogation and legal threats faced by Anna Bensi and her mother in Havana.
Who is Anna Bensi?
Anna Bensi, whose real name is Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, is a young content creator known for her videos on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook where she discusses the realities of life in Cuba.
What are the accusations against Anna Bensi's mother?
Cary Silvente, Anna's mother, was accused of filming State Security agents and faces house arrest while being required to find legal representation.
How has the international community reacted?
The U.S. Embassy issued a statement of support, condemning the Cuban regime's actions and urging for accountability and the release of other detainees like those in the El4tico project.