The U.S. Embassy in Cuba has joined a growing chorus of voices demanding the release and protection of two young individuals associated with the El 4tico project in Holguín: Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez. The call emphasizes the importance of safeguarding their human rights.
According to a report by the platform Citizenship and Freedom on social media site X, the pair were apprehended early Friday morning during a law enforcement operation in Holguín, carried out between six and seven a.m.
Medina and Zayas Pérez were identified by the organization as the detainees, who were reportedly taken to the province's Penal Instruction headquarters, infamously referred to as "Everybody Sings."
Citizenship and Freedom described this facility as notorious for "repeated allegations" of torture, violent interrogations, and degrading treatment, dubbing it the "Villa Marista of Holguín."
During the raid, officers allegedly confiscated computers, phones, cameras, and other equipment the young men used for "recording and documenting their work."
Left behind in the home were Doris Santiesteban Batista and the couple's young daughter, who were placed in "a situation of absolute vulnerability" following the operation.
In their statement, Citizenship and Freedom argued that these actions were not "normal legal procedures," but rather part of a pattern of "punishment, intimidation, and silencing" against young people exercising their right to independent expression and creation.
The platform urged the Cuban civil society, the diaspora, and international human rights organizations to "raise awareness of the case" and demand protections for the physical and legal integrity of the detained individuals.
Activist Amelia Calzadilla had previously condemned the repressive actions against the youth linked to the project, following a police presence at the location from which they produce and share content. Her denunciation was circulated via a video shared on social media.
El 4tico shared that video, and numerous activists expressed their solidarity; in the footage, a police officer is heard saying, "You have a search warrant. You must open and allow us entry."
The account mentions at least four officers were involved, with one presenting a document that "supposedly" matched the search warrant.
El 4tico is a well-known project on social media, recognized for its videos that analyze and critique the sociopolitical landscape of Cuba, as well as for "debunking official narratives" using communication strategies and historical context.
This incident occurs amid a national backdrop of power outages, inflation, migration, and societal discontent, reigniting the debate on freedom of expression and creativity in Cuba.
Key Questions on the El4tico Incident in Cuba
Who are Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez?
Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez are young activists associated with the El 4tico project, known for their sociopolitical analysis and criticism of the Cuban regime.
What is the El 4tico project?
El 4tico is a social media project that produces videos analyzing and critiquing Cuba's sociopolitical reality, aiming to dismantle official narratives with historical and communication insights.
Why were Medina and Zayas Pérez detained?
They were detained during a police operation, allegedly part of a broader effort to punish and silence young people involved in independent expression and creative projects in Cuba.