A young man residing in Havana reported on Monday that he was dismissed from his job solely for political reasons, without any breach of workplace, accounting, or ethical standards.
Amel Andrés Alfaro Méndez took to Facebook to share a straightforward message: "I was expelled from work. Not for accounting or ethical reasons. Just for being an avowed anti-communist."
Identifying himself as a "nationalist liberal by choice," Alfaro explained that his dismissal was due to his open opposition to Cuba's communist regime.
"According to him, 90% of Cubans are currently against the system, and we have plenty of reasons. However, for those of us who choose to express it, it costs us our freedom, peace, or jobs, as in my case," he wrote.
Alfaro had previously publicly called for the "complete and immediate" dissolution of the Communist Party of Cuba, as reported by the news portal Árbol Invertido.
He described the incident as "unjust and immoral workplace harassment," interpreting it as a tactic to financially suffocate him until he abandons his stance.
Nevertheless, instead of being discouraged, he claimed the outcome was opposite to what those who ordered his dismissal expected: "Their plan backfired. This only confirms that I am on the right side of history and that soon, sooner rather than later, those who have turned Cuba into a concentration camp will pay."
The post sparked solidarity, with many followers sharing similar experiences, indicating a recurring pattern across various sectors and periods.
Ivan Hernandez recounted that after the protests on July 11, 2021, a colleague reported him to Military Counterintelligence: "It all ended with my expulsion from work despite my contributions as an employee. In short, this is how the dictatorship operates to blackmail workers in state enterprises."
Hernandez was a civilian worker at XETID, an information technology company associated with the Cuban Armed Forces.
Oto Frometa recalled being dismissed from a polytechnic in 1994 for refusing to pay the official union: "When doing that was a mark. But I didn't pay... and I survived."
A follower, Dreidy Avila, warned the young Havana resident about potential future consequences: "Now they won't leave you alone until they put you in jail. Take care of yourself."
Karelys Suarez summarized the sentiments of many in the comments: "And then they boast about there being no repression here, that freedom of expression is respected, all their lies."
Alfaro Méndez's case is part of a series of documented labor reprisals in Cuba during 2025.
For instance, in March, communicator Ewald Nieves Manduley was fired in Guáimaro, Camagüey, for questioning the political use of José Martí's image on Facebook.
That same month, Professor Abel Tablada was removed from the Technological University of Havana (CUJAE) due to critical social media posts, sparking student protests.
Between April and May, state enterprise managers faced pressure under threat of dismissal to secure at least 80% of signatures in the pro-government "My Signature for the Homeland" campaign.
State employment remains a vital source of formal income for most Cuban workers, making dismissal one of the regime's most effective political repression tools.
The Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), the only permitted union, operates under state control and does not defend those affected by such reprisals.
Understanding Political Repression in Cuba's Workplaces
Why was Amel Andrés Alfaro Méndez dismissed from his job?
Amel Andrés Alfaro Méndez was dismissed from his job for expressing anti-communist views, not due to any ethical or accounting issues.
What is the impact of political dissent on employment in Cuba?
Political dissent in Cuba can lead to job loss, as the regime uses employment as a tool for political repression against those who openly oppose the government.
How do Cuban authorities handle labor disputes involving political issues?
Cuban authorities, through the state-controlled Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), do not typically defend workers facing reprisals for political reasons, as the union operates under government control.