In the early hours of Saturday morning, Cuban special forces stormed the home of Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano, a young activist known for leading a community aid project in Guamuta, a rural part of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba.
This aggressive raid was broadcasted live by José Daniel Ferrer García, revealing the involvement of a truckload of armed special forces, the complete lockdown of the neighborhood, and the subsequent arrest of the activist.
Ferrer García, who established the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) from exile in Miami, reported that the raid took place around six in the morning.
"The so-called black berets, heavily armed, sealed off the neighborhood, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. They turned the house upside down, confiscated phones, seized food, cooking pots, jewelry, everything in sight," Ferrer denounced.
The special forces also disrupted phone signals in the area during their operation. "There was no phone signal, they cut off connectivity, no one could connect, and they blocked access to the town. People wanted to enter, but the special forces, with long guns, told them they couldn't pass," Ferrer recounted, citing local sources.
According to another source referenced by the opposition leader, agents reportedly told neighbors it was "forbidden for worms to pass," a derogatory term for those supporting Pérez Serrano's work.
Independent journalist José Raúl Gallego confirmed the raid and arrest via Facebook, revealing that Pérez Serrano had reached out to him just a week prior. "Yoel sent me videos asking me to publish them if anything happened to him. They showed him organizing community members to build a clinic and dining hall using their resources, distributing food, and praying. These actions had already led to threats from State Security," Gallego wrote.
Gallego succinctly summarized the regime's logic: "The Cuban regime doesn't allow anyone to independently do what they are incapable of doing, as they need to keep people impoverished, so when they decide to sell two pounds of rice a bit cheaper, people have to be grateful."
Pérez Serrano spearheaded "Save Cuba" in Guamuta, ensuring at least one meal a day from Monday to Friday for the elderly, children, the sick, and impoverished families, alongside constructing an independent medical clinic with volunteer neighbors.
Ferrer estimated that the activist provided for 400 or more people in his area. The day before the raid, Ferrer had reported that mothers in Guamuta faced threats of fines for not sending their children to school due to the lack of food.
Pérez Serrano gained public attention in November 2025, challenging Miguel Díaz-Canel during an official visit to El Cobre after Hurricane Melissa, stating that 90% of Guamuta's residents lost their belongings and were left without support.
In July 2026, he led a protest in El Cobre barefoot and in his underwear, draped in a white sheet with the words "Liberty, Democracy, Justice, and Dignity." His community work earned him the nickname "the mayor of Guamuta."
The raid is part of a broader trend of increasing repression. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights recorded 387 repressive actions in October 2026, including 145 surveillance operations or blockades outside activists' homes.
FAQs on Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano and Cuban Repression
Who is Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano?
Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano is a community activist in Guamuta, Santiago de Cuba, known for his efforts in providing food and medical assistance to vulnerable populations.
What is the "Save Cuba" project?
The "Save Cuba" project, led by Pérez Serrano, focuses on providing daily meals to the needy and constructing a medical clinic with community support in Guamuta.
What actions did the Cuban special forces take during the raid?
The Cuban special forces stormed Pérez Serrano's home, confiscated personal belongings, disrupted phone signals, and blocked neighborhood access during the raid.
Why is the Cuban regime targeting Pérez Serrano?
Pérez Serrano is targeted for his independent community work, which challenges the regime's control and highlights its inability to support the population adequately.