Cuban dissident José Daniel Ferrer García, head of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), announced on Saturday the arrest of several individuals in Santiago de Cuba. They are accused by the regime of creating anti-government graffiti across the city.
Ferrer shared on his official Facebook page that among those detained is Liusban John Utra, an activist associated with UNPACU and Cuba Decide, who has been transferred to Las Tunas province.
The arrests also include four local residents unaffiliated with any organized opposition groups: Josefina Reyes Londres, Ulises Reyes Ramis, his son, and a neighbor.
"The regime has apprehended and is prosecuting Liusban John Utra, an UNPACU and Cuba Decide activist, under suspicion of graffiti involvement. Four Santiago residents, who are not organized dissenters, are also being targeted," Ferrer stated.
Ferrer indicated that these arrests are part of a fresh wave of repression in Santiago de Cuba. In recent weeks, the city has seen graffiti with messages like “Down with the dictatorship,” “Patria y Vida,” and “Freedom for political prisoners” appearing on walls, streets, and power poles.
“The more innocent people they detain, the more graffiti against the regime and in support of political prisoners appears throughout Cuban towns and cities,” declared the opposition leader.
Local sources, cited by human rights activists, report that State Security is conducting nighttime raids and home searches to locate the alleged graffiti writers. Some neighbors have noted the presence of patrols and plainclothes agents monitoring areas where graffiti has appeared.
Cuban law classifies graffiti or political messages against the government as “enemy propaganda” or “disrespect to authorities,” offenses that can result in prison sentences of up to eight years.
Organizations such as Prisoners Defenders and the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) have condemned these actions as part of a systematic campaign to criminalize peaceful activism and suppress free speech.
“Painting a wall or writing a slogan is not a crime; it is a legitimate form of citizen protest. Arresting people for this reveals the regime’s fear of public opinion,” a spokesperson for the OCDH stated from Madrid.
In recent months, several Cuban provinces, including Santiago, Holguín, and Matanzas, have experienced a surge in anonymous graffiti and posters against the government amidst economic decline, power outages, and shortages of food and medicine.
These messages, mostly painted at night or early morning, have become one of the few visible forms of protest on the Island, given the censorship and state control of public spaces.
Understanding the Impact of Anti-Government Graffiti in Cuba
What are the consequences of creating anti-government graffiti in Cuba?
In Cuba, creating anti-government graffiti is considered "enemy propaganda" or "disrespect to authorities," which can lead to prison sentences of up to eight years.
Why is there a rise in anti-government graffiti in Cuba?
The increase in anti-government graffiti in Cuba is a response to the worsening economic conditions, power outages, and shortages of essential goods. It represents one of the few ways citizens can visibly protest against the regime.
How are human rights organizations responding to the arrests?
Human rights organizations like Prisoners Defenders and the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights have criticized the arrests as part of a broader effort to criminalize peaceful activism and suppress free expression.