The mother of Erlis Sierra Yau, a Cuban doctor detained after speaking out during the Baire protest, has reached out to the Cuban populace for assistance. The young pediatrician and father of two was taken into custody and moved to the police operations center in Santiago de Cuba, as reported by his mother through a message shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
"This is the mother of Dr. Erlis Sierra Gómez speaking. This morning, two officers from the PNR arrived at our home. They came to take him without any formal summons, claiming he needed to go to the Contramaestre station for a conversation," she recounted.
She described how she accompanied her son, supposedly for a statement at the station. "A few moments later, a young man who knows him well approached us. He is known both here and in Contramaestre as a doctor who aids the community, saving lives even when resources are scarce by attending to people at home," she explained.
The young man warned her that her son had been taken out the back door, handcuffed, along with another protester. "I am beside myself and plead for help; I am desperate," she exclaimed.
This Cuban mother reached out to the local Party's First Secretary, emphasizing that "her son did not bang on pots, he merely asked to speak." She shared that after her son's protest, "fortunately, the milk truck finally arrived," after months without milk for the children.
Visibly distressed, she declared, "I am frantic; I know nothing about him. My son did not resort to violence; he just advocated for solutions for the people."
Sierra has emerged as a prominent figure in the peaceful demonstrations in Baire, after a video surfaced showing him calling on local authorities to address the shortages of water, food, and essential services, reminding them of the constitutional right to freedom of expression. "I am not afraid to go there because the Constitution grants me freedom of speech," he asserted during his dialogue with municipal leaders.
The protests in Baire, within the Contramaestre municipality, mark one of the most significant events in Santiago de Cuba since July 2021. On Thursday night, residents banged on pots and shouted "Freedom!" and "Down with Díaz-Canel!" during a blackout lasting over 30 hours. The regime soon cut Internet access and deployed police forces to quell the protests.
Alongside Sierra, Osmani Heredia and Humberto Nieto Sierra, the latter a nurse at the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital, were also detained. Activists and locals report a "witch hunt" against protesters, involving summonses, threats, and surveillance in the most active neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the hashtag #FreeErlisSierra continues to gain momentum on social media, with messages of support pouring in both from within and outside the island. Users and human rights organizations are demanding his immediate release and an end to the repression of those who protested peacefully in Baire.
As of now, Cuban authorities have not provided official information regarding the whereabouts or charges against Erlis Sierra.
Key Questions on Erlis Sierra's Detention
What led to Erlis Sierra's arrest?
Erlis Sierra was arrested after participating in a protest in Baire, where he voiced concerns about the lack of basic services and invoked the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Has there been any official statement from Cuban authorities on Sierra's detention?
As of now, Cuban authorities have not released any official information regarding Erlis Sierra's status or the charges against him.
What is the current situation in Baire following the protests?
The situation in Baire remains tense, with reports of a "witch hunt" targeting protesters, including intimidation and surveillance in active communities.