Doris Santiesteban Batista, known on social media as "Doris Sant Bat," took to Facebook this Thursday to publicly demand the release of her husband, Ernesto Ricardo Medina, and Kamil Zayas Pérez. These two young men are the brains behind the independent audiovisual project El4tico and have been detained in Holguín for over four and a half months without trial or conviction.
"Today I raise my voice for Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas, Cuban youths from the El4tico audiovisual project, who have been deprived of their freedom for months simply for thinking, questioning, and speaking out," Doris shared in her post, which is spreading with the hashtags #FreeEl4tico and #LibertadParaKamilYErnesto.
The arrest of these two young individuals occurred in the early hours of February 6, 2026, during a State Security operation. Their workspace was raided, and all production equipment, including a laptop, camera, mobile phone, tripod, and router, was confiscated.
Charges and Legal Obstacles
The Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Holguín has charged them with "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit a crime," accusations that could result in up to nine years in prison. These charges are frequently employed by the Cuban regime to suppress digital freedom of expression.
A habeas corpus petition filed on their behalf was dismissed by the Holguín Provincial Court, which also extended their pre-trial detention, as confirmed by the Holguín Prosecutor's Office in February.
A Wife's Outcry for Justice
Doris highlighted three key arguments in her demand, repeating them as a declaration of her principles: "Because recording a video is not a crime. Because independent thinking should not be considered a threat. Because Cuba needs free voices, not young people imprisoned for speaking the truth."
This isn't the first occasion Doris has spoken out publicly. On June 12, she shared on Facebook the heartbreaking question posed by her daughter Emma during a prison visit: "Mom, why is dad in jail?"
At that time, Doris wrote, "I don't have a clear answer to Emma's question because there isn't one. How can I tell my daughter that her father is imprisoned for expressing his feelings?"
Resistance and International Response
Resistance within the prison has also been documented. After 72 days of detention, Ernesto Medina refused to sign a statement of remorse demanded by State Security agents, according to a letter released by his mother, who publicly questioned, "Our president claims there are no political prisoners in Cuba, so what is he accused of?"
On June 9, Kamil Zayas Pérez managed to send out a handwritten statement from prison, urging, "The dignified Cuban should not fear speaking their mind, nor take a step back in this time for true men."
The case has drawn sustained international pressure. Organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Inter American Press Association, the U.S. State Department, and Amnesty International have called for the immediate release of the young men, condemning their detention as an act of repression against freedom of expression.
The Impact of El4tico
Based in Holguín, the El4tico project gained recognition for its critical sociopolitical analysis videos that questioned the Cuban government's management and dismantled official narratives. It attracted thousands of online followers before the February operation silenced its activities.
Understanding the El4tico Case and Its Implications
What charges are Ernesto Medina and Kamil Zayas facing?
They are facing charges of "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit a crime," which could lead to a nine-year prison sentence.
Why has the international community taken interest in this case?
The case has become a symbol of the repression of freedom of expression in Cuba, drawing attention and condemnation from international organizations advocating for human rights and free speech.
What is the significance of El4tico's work?
El4tico was known for its critical analysis of the Cuban government, challenging official narratives and engaging thousands of followers online before being shut down by authorities.