You were arrested in Havana in January 2022. What happened?
This arrest was the most recent in a series. I had been detained multiple times upon my return to Cuba in 2021, culminating in my forced exile in 2022. The specific detention you mentioned occurred during a demonstration I attended, which called for the release of 33 individuals, including minors, arrested during the protests on July 11. In some cases, these individuals could face over 20 years in prison. That day, I was alongside a group of mothers and family members of those accused. As the day progressed, the women began to chant “Freedom” for their sons. These messages of support and love were echoed by the activists present. I distinctly remember shouting “they are heroes” because I wanted these children to feel that their sacrifices were contributing to our significant struggle for freedom. I never expected the authorities to respond by beating mothers and criminalizing their expressions of love.
What happened next?
I was taken to a police station, where the authorities warned me that if I didn’t leave the country within 48 hours, there would be severe repercussions for me and for others who would face prosecution for disturbing public order. They specifically mentioned a political prisoner, my friend Maykel Castillo, a musician from the group “Patria y vida,” whose song has become the anthem for Cuban protests and who was sentenced to 9 years in prison. If I did not leave, his pleas for release and medical care would be rendered futile. He is unwell. It was the potential consequences of my activism on others that prompted my decision to flee. Since I hold Spanish nationality, I boarded a plane.
The grumbling had already started in 2018 with the San Isidro Movement, a collective of artists. When Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Cuban president, decided to censor artists, wasn’t that the case much earlier?
The decree legalized censorship in Cuba. It has always existed since Castro came to power and delivered his infamous speech to intellectuals in 1961, stating, “In the Revolution, everything; against the Revolution, nothing.” This decree was the first measure Miguel Diaz-Canel enacted upon taking office, prompting the artistic community to unite against it. Additionally, we had recently experienced a period of “openness” following Obama’s visit to Cuba in 2016, during which artists gained autonomy and enjoyed creative and expressive freedoms that they were reluctant to relinquish. The Internet became a powerful tool for countering the regime’s totalitarian narrative, allowing Cubans access to information beyond state-controlled media, specifically to contradict the official narratives presented by The Granma, which is the official publication of the Communist Party, and state television.
How did you manage to circumvent Internet censorship in Cuba?
I had 17 phone numbers because the authorities would frequently disrupt my network. During demonstrations, they deliberately prevent people from connecting to the Internet, particularly targeting activists who are under surveillance. Their goal is to inhibit communication among Cubans and suppress the dissemination of live images documenting their repression.
Was the decree issued by the Cuban president the catalyst for your involvement?
I have always been highly critical of the government. The first time public security questioned me was during my senior year of high school for expressing in class that democracy did not exist in Cuba. My critiques were usually directed towards my friends in private settings such as parks or homes. They were merely words. Beginning in 2018, particularly following Decree 349 (which requires artists performing in bars or other venues to obtain prior government authorization), I observed the treatment of my fellow activists and artists, which ultimately motivated me to return to the country. At that time, I was studying in Europe. I returned eager to participate in the proliferating street protests and to publicly express my ideas in opposition to power.
You live in Spain and have founded an NGO (Citizenship and Freedom). Can you explain your mission and how it is possible to make progress from Europe?
We aim to promote freedom of association and assembly as well as political participation in Cuba. Thanks to the Internet, our team maintains constant contact with activists on the ground who have established organizations that exist informally but not legally. One of our objectives is the adoption of legislation that protects this freedom of association instead of criminalizing it. My hope is to be able to establish my association in Cuba rather than in Madrid, as is currently the case.
“How can we still believe that the Cuban regime is left?” asked playwright Yunior Garcia, who, like you, is in forced exile and identifies as left-wing while denouncing a “caste” of conservative leaders. Do you share this view?
The artists’ movement evolved into a broader citizens’ movement starting in July 2021. It has grown to include diverse groups: women, notably the mothers of political prisoners, alongside the elderly, students, journalists, and artists. A vast majority of the Cuban population has sought to assert their rights and desire for freedom and democracy against a minority — the corrupt military elite that holds power. Our movement is inclusive, comprising various groups, associations, and political parties. There is no dominant ideology of left or right. We prefer not to engage in ideological disputes; rather, we unite in our desire for the end of the Castro dictatorship. We advocate for human rights, civil and political liberties, democracy, and freedom. In a democracy, respect for plurality is paramount. This plurality represents our strongest asset in the face of Castroism.
Is traveling to the USA after a visit to Cuba completely impossible?
With the COVID-19 crisis, the Venezuelan crisis, and US sanctions, many changes have occurred in your country. What is the current economic and social situation in Cuba?
The situation is particularly dire concerning food access. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights has reported that 88% of Cubans are living in poverty. Nine out of ten Cubans fall into this category, while the remaining population enjoys all possible luxuries: Mercedes cars, trips abroad, and abundant food. The majority lives in poverty, while the elite revels in affluence. The disparities are immense.
It is more profitable for a Cuban to own a “casa particular” and host tourists than to work as a doctor, which seems absurd…
This phenomenon is part of the revolutionary myth. It perpetuates the notion that Castroism is a protective state that cares for the vulnerable, respects teachers and doctors, and defends public services. The reality is strikingly different. Teachers and doctors are exploited by the regime. The United Nations has even classified some medical missions abroad as forced labor, during which doctors are subjected to conditions resembling slavery. Their passports are confiscated, and the state retains 80% to 90% of their salaries; they are required to engage in propaganda and are prohibited from forming relationships with locals. These medical missions represent the regime’s primary source of foreign currency, even before tourism. A doctor or professor in Cuba earns just enough to survive and support their family. This is why many resort to becoming taxi drivers or operate a “casa” to earn more money. This is the harsh reality of the dictatorship.
Cubans have also found themselves on the Ukrainian front fighting alongside the Russians. What are your thoughts on the ties between Cuba and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, especially since the onset of the war in Ukraine?
Cuba’s connections with Russia should raise concerns among Europeans. In May, Miguel Diaz-Canel attended the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Canel made it clear that Cuba would back Russia’s military operation to ensure its complete triumph, adopting terminology from Russian propaganda. This support is not merely symbolic; Cuba facilitates the recruitment of Cuban soldiers in Russia (the Cuban Foreign Ministry has denied involvement in any project aimed at recruiting Cubans from Russia). Many of these recruits hail from impoverished regions of Cuba, often rural areas, and are misled into thinking they are going to Russia for work, only to find themselves on the front lines in Ukraine. These young people are victims of human trafficking. Additionally, Cuba acts as an echo for Russian propaganda throughout Latin America via the media, portraying the Russians as defenders against Nazism in Ukraine, against the far right and fascism. These ideas are rapidly gaining traction in Latin America. The two nations also collaborate economically through the Mir payment system operational in Cuba, allowing Russia to evade Western sanctions.
This interview was conducted in Geneva as part of the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
You Were Arrested in Havana in January 2022: What Happened?
Understanding the Arrest
In January 2022, I was arrested during a demonstration in Havana. This protest aimed to demand the release of 33 individuals—including minors—who had been detained during the July 11 protests of 2021. These individuals faced severe sentences, with some potentially receiving over 20 years in prison. The demonstration involved mothers and family members of the arrested, who joined forces to express their anguish and seek justice. As we shouted, “Freedom,” I highlighted the heroism of their sacrifices, an appeal to empower these children amidst an oppressive regime. I never expected that displaying this love would lead to brutal treatment by authorities.
Amnesty International’s Call to Action
The Aftermath of Protests
Following my arrest, I was taken to a police station. The authorities issued a stark ultimatum: either I leave the country within 48 hours or face severe consequences—both for myself and those linked to my activism. They specifically mentioned my friend Maykel Castillo, a musician and political prisoner who was sentenced to nine years for his music that resonated as an anthem of protest. Fearing for his well-being, I made the life-altering decision to flee from Cuba, utilizing my Spanish nationality to board a plane and seek asylum.
The Eruption of Dissent in Cuba
San Isidro Movement’s Impact
The tensions in Cuba began escalating significantly with the formation of the San Isidro Movement in 2018, which arose in response to governmental censorship of artists. Under President Miguel Diaz Canel, censorship became institutionalized, culminating in a decree that stifled artistic expression. Since Fidel Castro’s rise to power, censorship has been a mechanism of control, aggressively reasserted during Diaz Canel’s administration. The environment shifted dramatically, moving from a brief period of openness after Obama’s 2016 visit to an oppressive crackdown on cultural expression.
Strategies to Circumvent Censorship
Utilizing Internet and Communication Tools
To evade government-imposed internet restrictions, I maintained 17 different phone numbers. In Cuba, authorities often disrupt network services during protests to impede communication and limit coverage of governmental abuses. Activists, in particular, face immense risks, making it crucial to develop creative solutions for maintaining contact and spreading vital information.
Activism in Crisis: The Role of Artists
Personal Journey of Involvement
My dedication to activism began long before my arrest. Even during my high school years, I openly criticized the lack of democracy in Cuba. The systematic curtailing of artistic freedom, particularly after the 2018 Decree 349, propelled me to return to Cuba after studying in Europe. I felt compelled to stand alongside fellow activists and make my voice heard in the fight for free expression.
Establishing a New Platform in Exile
Founding “Citizenship and Freedom”
Now residing in Spain, I established the NGO, Citizenship and Freedom. Our mission is to advocate for political participation and freedom of assembly in Cuba. Utilizing the internet allows us to maintain real-time communication with activists on the ground, who are forming unofficial organizations to fight for their rights against a backdrop of legal persecution. One of our primary goals includes lobbying for the adoption of laws that protect these freedoms rather than punish them.
The Nature of the Cuban Protest Movement
A Unified Front for Change
Cuban dissent shifted from being predominantly an artists’ movement to a broad-based citizens’ movement, which exploded after the protests on July 11, 2021. This struggle involves women, particularly the mothers of political prisoners, as well as students, journalists, and artists demanding their rights. We face an entrenched military elite that has retained power by silencing the majority of the population who yearn for democracy and human rights.
The Current Economic Landscape in Cuba
Impact of Global Crises on Cuba
Cuba’s economic situation has deteriorated significantly due to global factors, including COVID-19 and ongoing sanctions. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights reports that approximately 88% of Cubans live in poverty, amplifying inequality. While a small elite enjoys luxury, most citizens struggle to meet their basic needs.
The Irony of Medical Professionals in Cuba
Understanding the Economic Disparity
In a fascinating contradiction, many Cubans find greater financial stability in the tourism sector than in professional fields such as medicine. Public service workers, including doctors and teachers, often endure exploitation. The disparity between salaries for state workers and the profitability of private enterprise fosters a landscape where owning a “casa particular” becomes a more lucrative option than traditional professions.
Consequences of Global Partnerships
Cuba’s Relationship with Russia
In recent developments, Cuba has been increasingly aligned with Russia, showcasing a willingness to support the Kremlin’s military objectives. The ongoing war in Ukraine has sparked concern globally, and Cuba’s participation in facilitating the recruitment of Cuban soldiers for Russian efforts raises serious ethical questions. Young men from impoverished backgrounds are frequently misled, ultimately finding themselves in perilous situations. This troubling dynamic reinforces the need for vigilance and awareness regarding the Cuban-Russian partnership.
A Call for Global Awareness
This interview was conducted in Geneva as part of the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
