Exactly five years after the July 11, 2021 protests, Ariadna Pérez, a young woman from Camagüey, has broken her silence regarding her arrest during the demonstrations. Her account was shared in a video on Instagram by exiled political activist Reina Yacnara Barreto Batista, known as Nara Yack, who currently resides in Canada.
In the footage, Ariadna recounts her arrest amid the unrest in Camagüey and details the harrowing four days she spent in detention.
Inside the Detention Experience
"I was held for 96 hours, a time that taught me how the dictatorship operates," Ariadna explained. "Endless interrogations, psychological torture, and intimidation methods were employed, including confiscating my phone. They did not return it or allow me to leave until I let them access my gallery and delete everything I had recorded that day. There's much more that I will share someday," she stated.
Feeling safe to speak now that she is outside of Cuba, Ariadna emphasized that her testimony extends beyond her personal experience. "I made this video to support everyone still in Cuba who was there that day, those still detained, those detained before, and those who have risen up and are still suffering," she expressed.
Continued Repression and Lack of Accountability
Her message concluded with a powerful call: "Long live a free Cuba, and may those of us who are away soon return home. Those bravely remaining can live in freedom."
The testimony was shared by Nara Yack, a key figure in exposing the repression of July 11. Nara was 21 years old when she was arrested during the protests in Camagüey and sentenced to four years of corrective labor with internment. During her imprisonment, she endured psychological torture and contracted COVID-19. Tragically, her father passed away in 2023 while she was still serving her sentence.
Now living in exile in Canada, Nara uses her platform with over 16,000 followers to amplify voices like Ariadna's.
The Broader Impact and Ongoing Struggle
Ariadna's revelation comes at a time when accountability for the July 11 repression remains elusive. According to Prisoners Defenders, at least 338 people are still imprisoned for their involvement in the protests, out of a historic total of approximately 1,260 political prisoners in Cuba as of May this year.
The April 2026 pardon specifically excluded those convicted of "crimes against authority," the charge used by the regime to criminalize the July 11 demonstrators.
The most notable case is that of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, whose five-year sentence ended on July 9, yet he remains missing after being removed from Guanajay prison by State Security on July 7. Amnesty International has labeled the situation as a case of enforced disappearance.
In Camagüey, the crackdown during the protests was particularly severe: one protester was shot by police, and Father Castor José Álvarez was detained and beaten for defending a 14-year-old during the demonstrations.
Nara Yack introduced Ariadna’s video by noting, "She has never spoken on camera about what happened to her that day. Today, she wanted to send a video of support to all those who experienced something similar and continue to suffer."
Understanding the July 11 Protests and Their Aftermath
What were the July 11 protests in Cuba?
The July 11 protests in Cuba, also known as 11J, were widespread demonstrations against the Cuban government's policies, sparked by economic hardship and calls for greater freedom. They marked one of the largest protests in decades.
How have human rights organizations responded to the July 11 protests?
Human rights organizations have condemned the Cuban government's response to the protests, highlighting the arrests and treatment of demonstrators as violations of human rights. Groups like Amnesty International have called for accountability and the release of political prisoners.
What is the current situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
As of May 2023, there are approximately 1,260 political prisoners in Cuba, according to Prisoners Defenders. Many remain incarcerated for their involvement in the July 11 protests, facing harsh conditions and limited legal recourse.