The digital activist group "Fuera de la Caja Cuba" has reported that the Cuban government disabled the phones of its members as retaliation for their public support of content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known as Anna Bensi, during her interrogation by State Security.
"They want us quiet," the group summarized in a Facebook reel that has amassed over 320,000 views.
The young activists took two tricycles to reach Alamar, where Anna was summoned to a police station.
"Obviously, to show her that she is not alone and to help her feel strong against the intimidation this dictatorship exercises, and also for the regime to see that Cubans no longer ignore injustices," they stated.
The narrator of the video explained that during the journey, they discovered their phone lines had been disabled.
"They want us quiet, but upon arrival, we had the pleasure of being surrounded by many good and brave people. (...) Trusting in God that everything will turn out well. Today we understood that any harm they do to us will only make us stronger," she emphasized.
The group concluded their statement with a message of unity: "We thank Annita for being so strong, her mom for her unwavering support, and everyone who helped make things easier. Unity is key."
What Happened to Anna Bensi at the Police Summons?
The day was marked by the formal indictment of the activist, as she reported after leaving Police Unit No. 27 in Alamar, where she underwent a one-hour interrogation alongside her lawyer.
"They checked me thoroughly," said the 21-year-old, who blamed the authorities for any harm she might suffer. "I had to remove my hairstyle, blouse, pants, and they even checked my shoes to see if I was carrying anything," she detailed.
Anna Bensi was formally charged as a co-author of the crime of "acts against personal and family privacy, personal image and voice, identity of another person and their data," which the Penal Code punishes with three to five years of imprisonment.
Additionally, she was placed under house arrest with restrictions on leaving the country and traveling between provinces without prior authorization.
Despite the ordeal and the arbitrary measures imposed on her, she expressed gratitude for the support received: "I am incredibly grateful to everyone who came to support me and to those who have shown their support on social media. They are supporting not just my mom and me, but a national cause: freedom."
The case against her began days earlier, following the filming and dissemination on social media of a video showing a MININT officer delivering a summons at her family home. The video was recorded by her mother, Caridad "Cary" Silvente Laffita.
The harassment against Cary Silvente started on March 11, when agents interrogated her for two hours and also placed her under house arrest. On March 18, her lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the charges with the Prosecutor's Office, which is still pending a response.
State Security agents labeled Cary as a "bad mother" and her daughter as a "counterrevolutionary" acting under orders from Washington.
The United States government demanded that the Cuban regime cease its threats and intimidation against both women.
Harassment of "Fuera de la Caja"
"Fuera de la Caja Cuba" comprises Amanda Beatriz Andrés Navarro (20), Abel Alejandro Andrés Navarro (22), Mauro Reigos Pérez (20), and Karel Daniel Hernández Bosques (20).
Known for their red caps emblazoned with "Make Cuba Great Again," the group has denounced State Security harassment and responded defiantly: "They won’t silence us."
On March 18, State Security agents visited the homes of Karel’s mother and Betty’s father to intimidate them.
ETECSA, the state telecommunications monopoly, has often been accused of being a tool for political control. The disabling of phones for simply supporting Anna Bensi represents an extension of these tactics into the activists’ social circles.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Anna Bensi Case
Why were the phones of the activists disabled?
The phones were disabled as a form of retaliation by the Cuban government against the activists for supporting Anna Bensi during her interrogation by State Security.
What charges were brought against Anna Bensi?
Anna Bensi was charged as a co-author of the crime involving acts against personal and family privacy, personal image and voice, identity of another person, and their data, which carries a penalty of three to five years in prison under the Penal Code.
How did the United States respond to the situation?
The United States government called on the Cuban regime to stop threatening and intimidating Anna Bensi and her mother.