A Cuban mother was physically assaulted and restrained by police officers as she attempted to inform them that her son would voluntarily surrender. This incident occurred during a wave of arrests following the March 25 protests in the Las Minas area of Guanabacoa, Havana.
The harrowing account was shared on Facebook by activist Ray Figueredo, who highlighted the oppressive tactics used by authorities aimed at instilling fear. "What happened to the protesters in Las Minas wasn't just about arrests—it was intimidation. Officers arrived with long guns to confront unarmed civilians. They didn't encounter an organized criminal group or violent resistance; instead, they found a sick mother living in dire conditions," he stated.
Personal Account of Police Brutality
In her own words, the woman described the severe force used against her: "One officer, a chubby guy wearing yellow, put me in a hold, slapped me twice, and threw me to the ground." The assault didn't stop there. As she lay on the floor, the officer kicked her in the thigh, exacerbating her ordeal.
Her family preserved locks of her hair pulled out during the violent encounter as evidence of the attack. Additionally, police mistakenly raided her home, brandishing machine guns in front of her ten-year-old son. "They stormed into my house with a machine gun right in front of my child, who is just 10 years old," she recounted, stressing that her home had no connection to the incidents under investigation.
Detentions and Legal Uncertainty
Among those arrested were young men identified as Daniel, Alejandro, and Lázaro, all of whom were taken to Villa Marista, a notorious state security detention center in Havana used for political prisoners. Most detainees were given bail amounts of 20,000 Cuban pesos pending trial, except for Melissa Martínez, who faced a 50,000 pesos bail. Figueredo noted, "We still lack clear information on the charges they will face."
Fearful of worsening their loved ones' situations, some families chose to remain silent, given the recent and sensitive nature of the events.
A Widespread Movement
The Las Minas protests on March 25 are part of the largest series of public demonstrations Cuba has seen since July 11, 2021. Since March 6, Cubans across various provinces have been taking to the streets, driven by the collapse of the national electrical system. On March 16, the country experienced its sixth complete blackout in a year and a half.
The deployment of long guns against demonstrators has not been isolated to Las Minas. During protests in Micro 9, Santiago de Cuba, journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported similar occurrences, with long guns being brought to police stations in Santiago de Cuba, notably near Micro 9.
Since the protests began in March, around 20 people have been detained, and at least one person has been shot, as repression intensifies in response to persistent public unrest.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What sparked the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests were primarily triggered by the collapse of the national electrical system, which has led to widespread outages and dissatisfaction among the population.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The government has responded with force, using police to arrest protesters and deploying long guns against civilians, aiming to suppress the dissent.
What are the consequences for those detained during the protests?
Detainees have been given high bail amounts, and there is uncertainty regarding the specific charges they may face, contributing to the tension and fear among their families.