On Monday, a group of Panamanian, Cuban, and Costa Rican citizens gathered outside the Cuban embassy in Panama City to demand the release of seven Panamanians detained on the island. The Cuban regime described these demonstrations as "provocative acts" allegedly orchestrated from Miami.
The protest, organized by the group Path to Cuban Democracy, initially convened at Belisario Porras Park before moving to the gates of the Cuban diplomatic mission. Protesters held signs with images of Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro bearing the message "we don't want them" and chanted slogans such as "Homeland and Life" and "Free Cuba," as reported by local outlet El Siglo.
"We stand here, firm and united, demanding immediate release. We cannot remain silent in the face of ongoing injustices," stated spokespersons from the organization during the event.
Calls for Stronger Government Action
The protesters also urged the Panamanian government to adopt a more decisive stance, including cutting diplomatic ties with Cuba until human rights are respected. Additionally, they demanded the extradition of Boris Betancourt, a Cuban convicted of drug trafficking currently serving time at the maximum-security prison La Nueva Joya.
This situation originated on February 28, 2026, when Cuba's Ministry of the Interior arrested ten Panamanian citizens in Havana, accusing them of placing anti-government posters in the Boyeros and Jaimanitas neighborhoods under Article 124 of the Cuban Penal Code, which imposes sentences of up to ten years for propaganda against constitutional order.
The detainees were held at Villa Marista, the headquarters of Cuban State Security. On April 25, Cuba released three of the detainees—Evelyn Castro, Cinthia Camarena, and Abigail Gudiño—who arrived at Tocumen International Airport that day after diplomatic efforts by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha. He had traveled to Cuba in March to meet with Díaz-Canel.
Ongoing Efforts for Release
Seven men remain in custody: Víctor Manuel Pinzón Cedeño, Anthony Williams Jules Pérez, Omar Gilberto Urriola Vergara, Maykol Jesús Pérez Almendra, Adalberto Antonio Navarro Asprilla, Patrochiny Jerodany Joseph Arisarena, and José Luis Aguirre Baruco. The Panamanian government continues negotiations for their return, with President José Raúl Mulino instructing the foreign ministry to ensure legal defense, diplomatic protection, and consular assistance for the detainees.
The official Cuban press, through Prensa Latina, dismissed the protesters as "counter-revolutionary groups arriving from Miami" and described Path to Cuban Democracy as a "front organization." They further claimed that the protests are "a propagandistic and political challenge aligned with subversion plans crafted in Washington to try to isolate the Cuban people."
Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha emphasized that the protesters should "respect Cuba's laws and sovereignty" and reiterated his strategy of quiet diplomacy, warning that external pressures could hinder ongoing efforts for the return of the seven citizens still detained on the island.
Opposition sources, like José Daniel Ferrer from the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), noted that the detained Panamanians were also distributing humanitarian aid—food and medicine—to political prisoners in Matanzas, a detail omitted by the Cuban government's official narrative.
Key Questions About the Panama-Cuba Protest
Why were the Panamanian citizens detained in Cuba?
They were arrested for allegedly placing anti-government posters in Havana, which is considered propaganda against Cuba's constitutional order under Article 124 of the Cuban Penal Code.
What are the protesters demanding from the Panamanian government?
Protesters are calling for a stronger governmental response, including cutting diplomatic ties with Cuba and securing the release and safe return of the detained Panamanians.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The Cuban regime has dismissed the protests as provocations orchestrated from Miami, labeling the protesters as counter-revolutionaries and accusing them of serving foreign subversion agendas.
What role is the Panamanian Foreign Ministry playing in this situation?
The Foreign Ministry, led by Javier Martínez-Acha, is engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Cuba, advocating for the legal defense and eventual return of the detained Panamanians.