Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro, addressed the sentencing of Anna Bensi and her mother on Thursday through a social media video. He urged authorities to implement "an educational measure" rather than a punitive sanction, echoing the official stance on the right to privacy for MININT agents.
His statement came shortly after the East Havana Municipal People's Court sentenced Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, to two years of restricted freedom each. They were charged with "acts against personal and family privacy" after recording and sharing an encounter with a MININT officer on social media.
"An educational measure could hold more value for society than a purely punitive response," Sandro Castro asserted in the video. He added, "I don't see why Ana Benzi should be viewed as an enemy."
However, the influencer did not challenge the judicial process or the sentence. Instead, he justified the legal framework supporting it: "Officers are people, they are also human beings. In our quest for freedom of expression, we cannot trample on someone else's privacy."
A Personal Perspective
To illustrate his stance, Sandro Castro shared a personal anecdote: "I've been stopped at times without my documentation because it was left in my father's vehicle or elsewhere, and I've been taken to the police station. I don't record these incidents; I simply defend my rights."
He acknowledged that Bensi is "quite intellectual, quite educated" and believed she acted "in good faith." However, he noted, "One must consider the intention behind the video's dissemination," referring to the sharing of the agent's footage.
Castro's position differs from that of artists, religious leaders, and lawmakers who unconditionally supported Bensi.
Public and Diplomatic Reactions
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar condemned the proceedings as "a desperate act by a dying dictatorship attempting to intimidate and silence the Cuban people." Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba responded with a direct message: "Thinking differently is not a crime."
The incident began on March 10 when sub-officer Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos visited their home to deliver a State Security summons. Mother and daughter recorded the encounter, leading to the case's initial dismissal. It was reopened in July following a complaint by the agent, who had previously demanded a public apology video to restore his reputation.
The trial day was notable for a heavy police presence: Evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora and Christian activist David Espinosa Martínez were detained as they tried to reach the court.
Despite the police barricade, Bensi arrived to applause and declared, "We are not criminals," before entering the courthouse.
After learning the verdict, the young woman called it "an injustice" and concluded with a phrase summarizing her stance on the ruling: "God is in control."
Understanding the Legal Implications and Public Reactions
What was the legal basis for the charges against Anna Bensi and her mother?
Anna Bensi and her mother were charged with "acts against personal and family privacy" for recording and sharing a video of an encounter with a MININT officer, which was deemed a violation of privacy.
How did Sandro Castro propose addressing the situation?
Sandro Castro suggested implementing an "educational measure" as a more valuable societal response than a punitive sanction, emphasizing the importance of respecting privacy while advocating for freedom of expression.
How did the international community react to the trial?
The international community, including Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, criticized the trial as an attempt by the Cuban regime to suppress dissent and silence the Cuban populace.