Andy García Lorenzo, a prominent figure from the July 11th, 2021 protests in Santa Clara, was reportedly detained once more this Sunday. The news was shared via Facebook by activist Jonatan López.
López revealed that García Lorenzo's parents immediately staged a protest outside the Third Police Unit in Santa Clara, demanding information about their son's status. "Andy Garcia has just been detained in Santa Clara, his parents are protesting at the third unit in the city. Please share. Andy García is not alone," wrote López, who is married to García Lorenzo's sister, Roxana.
This recent arrest follows just two months after the State Security had threatened him with severe penalties. On June 26, 2026, officers summoned him to the Villa Clara State Security Unit, warning him that he could face between 10 and 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty if he published images of military installations or shared information abroad, citing Article 116 of the Cuban Penal Code regarding espionage.
Background of Previous Arrest
García Lorenzo was originally arrested during the 11J protests in Santa Clara and sentenced to four years in prison for charges of contempt, public disorder, and assault, despite the prosecution seeking a seven-year sentence. While imprisoned at Guamajal, he reported mistreatment, solitary confinement, and initiated several hunger strikes.
In December 2024, he engaged in a 16-day hunger strike over the confiscation of personal letters, an event mirrored by his parents’ protest outside the prison, a scene that replayed this Sunday at the Third Unit.
Continued Activism and Government Intimidation
Having served his full sentence, García Lorenzo was released in July 2025, but continued his activism. In November of that year, he publicly identified an officer who allegedly assaulted him during a prison hunger strike. By June 2026, he had shared footage of protests against power outages in Santa Clara’s Condado neighborhood, increasing State Security pressure on him.
Pattern of Repression Against 11J Protesters
García Lorenzo's situation is not unique. Throughout 2026, there has been a documented pattern of harassment and re-arrest of former 11J protesters: Yoan de la Cruz was detained in San Antonio de los Baños in May, while Leonardo Romero Negrín faced a violent arrest in Havana in July.
The explicit threat by State Security just two months prior to this latest detention highlights that his social media activism, particularly documenting protests over power cuts in Santa Clara, likely provoked this new repressive action.
Understanding the Repression in Cuba
Why was Andy García Lorenzo detained again?
Andy García Lorenzo was detained again reportedly due to his ongoing activism and documentation of protests against power outages in Santa Clara, which attracted the attention of the State Security.
How has the Cuban government responded to the 11J protesters?
The Cuban government has reportedly engaged in a systematic pattern of harassment and re-arrest of former 11J protesters, including detentions and threats of severe penalties.
What are the allegations against García Lorenzo?
García Lorenzo faces allegations related to his activism, including sharing images of military installations and protests, which the government has linked to espionage under the Cuban Penal Code.