Cuban activist and content creator Anna Bensi recently detailed the interrogation she endured on April 13 at the hands of Cuban counterintelligence agents during an interview with filmmaker Ian Padrón. The agents blatantly warned her, "It would be a shame for you to spend your youth in prison."
Published on Padrón's official Facebook page under the DCR label, Anna's account describes a dual strategy employed by the agents: psychological abuse directed at her mother and sister, contrasted with a seemingly friendly demeanor toward Anna herself, which masked direct threats.
"They treated my mom and sister really poorly, absolutely terribly, whereas they approached me with a friendly facade, like a brainwashing attempt," Anna, 21, recounted. "But underneath that friendly talk, the threats were obvious."
Anna told the agents she was not committing any crime. "I was simply expressing myself respectfully, as I always do, respecting my thoughts. I didn't agree with what was happening here, and they needed to respect that," she stated.
The agents, according to her account, insisted she was in that interrogation "because of choices she had made" and that "she was just a hair away from being imprisoned."
The April 13 interrogation was revealed to be a coordinated trap: Anna and her mother, Caridad Silvente, were summoned under the pretense of signing documents, while other nearby activists were called to another police station, leaving them isolated and without means of communication.
Psychological Pressure and False Promises
Three counterintelligence agents—two women and a man who never identified themselves—interrogated her using a "good cop, bad cop" approach. They even offered to advance her music career if she abandoned her activism: "That dream can come true, Sofía. It's in your hands, and we can help with that."
Anna firmly rejected the offer: "I will never work for a dictatorship."
In March, Anna and her mother released a video showing a MININT officer delivering an irregular summons. Authorities used this video to charge them under Article 393 of the Cuban Penal Code, which prescribes two to five years in prison for "acts against personal and family privacy, one's own image, and voice." Since March 25, both have been under house arrest with travel restrictions within and outside the country.
International Attention and Support
The repression extended to her entire family: Anna's sister, Elmis Rivero Silvente, a U.S. citizen, was interrogated and threatened by State Security on April 10, just hours before her flight to Miami.
The case has garnered international attention. U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer, head of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, visited Anna on April 9, stating that "her only crime has been standing up for her beliefs and faith." In May, both Hammer and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly expressed their support for the young activist.
Understanding the Risks Activists Face in Cuba
What tactics do Cuban authorities use against activists?
Cuban authorities often employ psychological pressure, threats, and false promises to intimidate activists. They may use tactics like the "good cop, bad cop" method during interrogations and attempt to isolate individuals by targeting their families.
How has the international community responded to Anna Bensi's situation?
Key figures in the international community, including U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have shown support for Anna Bensi. They have recognized her bravery in defending her beliefs and condemned the Cuban regime's actions.