A Cuban mother who recently lashed out at Miguel Díaz-Canel over the poverty and hunger afflicting families on the island reported on Monday that she is facing threats of arrest by State Security after her critical testimony was shared on social media.
In a live broadcast on Facebook, Yurisleidis Remedios, a resident of Santiago de Cuba and mother of several children, revealed that she received a phone call instructing her to hand over her children to relatives because "they were coming for her."
"I've just been called to pick up my children because they're coming to arrest me. I'm going to jail for lacking freedom of expression," she declared during the live stream, urgently seeking help and urging viewers to share the video "with the entire world."
The threat, according to Remedios, emerged only days after a video of her criticizing the Cuban leader for urging the population to "resist" amid the worst economic and energy crisis in decades went viral.
"Just for speaking the truth, for saying there’s no food, no freedom of expression, for wanting a free Cuba, they plan to arrest me in twenty minutes," she asserted, visibly shaken, as she explained she was alone with her children.
Remedios called for international support and specifically addressed Cubans in exile, stating her situation is not isolated but part of the systematic repression against those who dare to speak out from within the island.
Hours later, she once again took to Facebook to disclose that she had identified the man who threatened her, sharing the phone number from which the warning came, along with an image of the alleged harasser during a video call.
Yurisleidis Remedios's denunciation follows her video criticizing Díaz-Canel for asking for more sacrifices from the people while, she argued, the leadership remains oblivious to hunger and hardship.
"The president has food; it’s us who are suffering," she stated then, also directly addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump, pointing out that sanctions affect ordinary citizens rather than the ruling elite.
Her case underscores the lack of freedom of expression in Cuba and the use of fear as a tool of control, even against mothers with children, in a country where speaking out about shortages can lead to imprisonment.
Understanding the Repercussions of Speaking Out in Cuba
What led to Yurisleidis Remedios's arrest threat?
Yurisleidis Remedios faced an arrest threat after a video criticizing Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel for the country's economic struggles went viral. Her outspoken demand for freedom and criticism of the lack of food and basic rights attracted the attention of State Security.
How did Yurisleidis Remedios respond to the threats?
Yurisleidis Remedios responded to the threats by reaching out for international support and exposing the identity and phone number of the person who threatened her, emphasizing the ongoing repression in Cuba.
What does this case reveal about freedom of expression in Cuba?
The case of Yurisleidis Remedios highlights the severe restrictions on freedom of expression in Cuba, where state authorities use intimidation tactics to silence dissent, even targeting vulnerable individuals like mothers with children.