Kamil Zayas Pérez, a founding member of the independent audiovisual initiative El4tico, finds himself marking his birthday this Saturday from within the confines of the Holguín Provincial Prison, where he has been detained for 184 days by the Cuban government.
Doris Sant Bat highlighted this somber occasion through a Facebook post, also mentioning that Ernesto Ricardo Medina, the other half of the duo, will face a similar fate on his birthday, August 18, as he too remains incarcerated.
The two young men were apprehended on February 6, 2026, at their homes in Holguín during a coordinated operation by State Security and the Police, which involved home searches and the seizure of their work equipment, including a laptop, camera, phone, tripod, and router.
The Holguín Provincial Prosecutor's Office has charged them with alleged crimes of "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit crimes," accusations that could lead to up to nine years of imprisonment.
Legal Irregularities and Human Rights Concerns
The operation was fraught with irregularities from the outset: officers refused to present a search warrant when Medina requested it, and the search was conducted without any witnesses, violating Law No. 143 on Criminal Procedure.
After being processed at the police station known as "Everyone Sings," they were transferred to Holguín Provincial Prison in late March. A habeas corpus petition filed on their behalf was denied by the Provincial Court.
On Wednesday, the human rights organization Cubalex condemned the violation of due process and demanded the release of both individuals, warning that "the extension of pretrial detention for six months without any prosecutorial request or trial date exacerbates concerns about their procedural rights."
Resistance and Advocacy for Freedom
Medina's ordeal involved additional pressure: in April, his mother disclosed that State Security demanded he record a video expressing remorse and retraction, which he refused. Cubalex criticized this practice as "incompatible with respect for freedom of conscience and the right to not be compelled to self-incriminate or make statements under coercion."
Despite his imprisonment, Kamil has remained outspoken. Just two weeks after his arrest, he sent a message from prison that circulated widely: "What began as a humble little room has grown into a vast house. It has been worth it. Do not give up. Let us now build a village, a fair and good one. We count on you. Long live a Dignified Cuba."
In June, he also penned a handwritten letter from jail, condemning the situation in Cuba, criticizing political regression, and urging citizens not to relinquish their rights.
International Attention and Advocacy
El4tico, launched in Holguín in 2024, produces sociopolitical analysis and critique of Cuban reality. Before the creators' arrest, it had amassed roughly 80,000 followers on Instagram.
On Friday, just a day before Kamil's birthday, the United States Embassy in Cuba publicly demanded the immediate release of El4tico's founders and all political prisoners on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kamil Zayas Pérez and El4tico
What charges are Kamil Zayas Pérez and Ernesto Ricardo Medina facing?
They are charged with "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit crimes," which could result in up to nine years of imprisonment.
How has the international community responded to their detention?
The United States Embassy in Cuba has called for their immediate release, along with all political prisoners in Cuba.
What is the significance of El4tico?
El4tico is a project focused on sociopolitical analysis and critique of Cuban reality, gaining significant traction with around 80,000 Instagram followers before the founders' arrests.
What irregularities were present during their arrest?
Irregularities included the refusal by officers to present a search warrant and conducting the search without witnesses, in violation of the law.