The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Juan Pablo Segura, issued a strong condemnation on Friday regarding the sentencing of content creator Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, by a Cuban court. Segura criticized the decision as a blatant display of the regime's cowardice.
"The Cuban regime's cowardice knows no bounds. They consistently resort to fear and censorship against anyone who dares to voice dissent against their failed revolution," Segura expressed on his official X account.
Appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in August 2026, Segura demanded the release of all individuals unjustly imprisoned, including the evangelical pastor known as "El Pregonero."
On Thursday, the East Havana People's Municipal Court found Anna Bensi and her mother guilty of "acts against personal and family privacy," sentencing each to two years of restricted freedom.
The charges stemmed from an incident in March 2026, when a MININT officer visited Bensi's home to deliver a State Security summons. Bensi and her mother recorded the interaction and shared it on social media, leading to the legal action against them.
Anna Bensi, a 21-year-old resident of Alamar, Havana, maintained her composure upon hearing the verdict, stating, "We are not criminals" before entering the courtroom. After the sentencing, she affirmed, "God is in control."
Security Clampdown During Sentencing
The trial day was marked by an extensive security presence. Pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known as "Pregonero de Cristo," was detained en route to support the defendants at the court, along with Christian activist David Espinosa Martínez. Other activists reported being under surveillance and facing restrictions on leaving their homes.
The proceedings were overseen by Judge Zamira Marrero Morgado, who has been criticized by activists for her involvement in trials against July 11th demonstrators. Despite the security measures, Bensi was greeted with applause from family and supporters upon her arrival at the courthouse.
Segura reiterated the call for the pastor's release, emphasizing, "All those unjustly detained must be freed."
International Outcry and Political Ramifications
The verdict has sparked widespread international condemnation. On the day of the trial, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba issued a statement declaring, "Thinking differently is not a crime."
Cuban-American Congress members Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos A. Giménez demanded the unconditional release of the two women. Salazar condemned the trial as "a desperate act of a dying dictatorship," while Giménez warned that those oppressing the Cuban people "will not go unpunished."
The organization Cubalex maintained that filming police officers during their duties is a legitimate exercise of citizen rights, a stance the court ignored in its ruling.
Anna Bensi also revealed that the complainant had initially demanded a public video apology "to restore his moral standing," a condition she refused, highlighting the political nature of the persecution against her, according to activists.
Understanding the Sentencing of Anna Bensi
What charges were brought against Anna Bensi and her mother?
Anna Bensi and her mother were charged with "acts against personal and family privacy" by the East Havana People's Municipal Court.
Why did the U.S. condemn the sentence against Anna Bensi?
The U.S. condemned the sentence as an act of cowardice by the Cuban regime, which consistently silences dissenting voices against its failed revolution.
What has been the international response to the sentencing?
The sentencing has led to international outrage, with statements from the U.S. Embassy in Cuba and demands for release from Cuban-American congress members and human rights organizations.