Anna Bensi, a Cuban activist and content creator known by her full name, Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, recently took to Facebook to address accusations from a user named Clev Mindy, who criticized her for allegedly not contributing to Cuba or its people.
The critique, which Bensi identified as coming from a bogus profile, provocatively asked, "Who here can claim that this young woman has made their life any better?" It then listed basic needs such as electricity, food, medicine, price reductions, transport, and water, implying that Anna should be addressing these issues.
Clev Mindy also accused Anna of "not producing results" and criticized her for purportedly supporting Trump's stance on not allowing fuel into the country, concluding with: "In the end, who gets hurt?"
Anna’s Bold Retort
Anna Bensi responded decisively: "I'm not responsible for solving anyone's problems. The responsibility lies with the State, which fails to act."
The 21-year-old, who resides in Alamar, Havana, clarified that her genuine profile is distinct from the fake one that launched the attack. "On this real profile (unlike the fake one that made the comment), I create content respectfully, exercising my right to free speech to make it clear that I am openly against the Cuban dictatorship, as it does not represent me or protect my interests as a Cuban citizen."
She concluded her post by addressing her numerous followers: "If those who follow me feel a connection, well... there's a reason for it, right?"
Continued Activism Amid Challenges
Anna Bensi often faces online harassment from accounts—frequently fake—that defend the regime, insult dissenting voices, and attempt to discredit them by arguing they fail to address the people's concrete issues.
This exchange occurs during a period of significant pressure on the influencer. Since March 26, both she and her mother, Caridad Silvente Laffita, have been under house arrest and barred from leaving the country. They are accused under Article 393 of the Cuban Penal Code of alleged crimes against personal privacy, carrying potential penalties of two to five years in prison.
In April, Anna reported that her WhatsApp and Telegram accounts had been hacked and her ETECSA lines deactivated. She also revealed that counterintelligence agents tried to recruit her as an informant during a police station interrogation in Alamar, offering support for her music career in exchange for abandoning her activism.
Despite these challenges, Anna has continued her activism unabated.
Meeting with U.S. Diplomats
Last Thursday, she met with Mike Hammer, the head of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, alongside the youth group "Fuera de la Caja Cuba." During this meeting, Hammer conveyed a message from Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "I met with Secretary Rubio in Washington, mentioned our meeting, and he sends his greetings and encouragement."
Anna Bensi gained international attention in February 2026 after her videos on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook went viral, highlighting issues like power outages, low wages, and the lack of freedoms in Cuba. She has consistently published critical content against the regime, despite facing systematic repression.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anna Bensi's Activism
Who is responsible for solving the issues in Cuba, according to Anna Bensi?
Anna Bensi believes that the responsibility for solving Cuba's issues lies with the State, which she criticizes for failing to take action.
What challenges has Anna Bensi faced due to her activism?
Anna has faced house arrest, accusations under the Cuban Penal Code, cyberattacks on her accounts, and attempts by counterintelligence agents to recruit her as an informant.
How did Anna Bensi gain international attention?
She gained international recognition in February 2026 after her videos on social media platforms went viral, highlighting critical issues in Cuba.