Pedro Jorge Velázquez, a Cuban journalist known online as El Necio, released a video on Facebook this Sunday, alleging that he has been followed and threatened in the streets of Havana. He announced his intention to file a formal complaint with the police authorities.
Velázquez recently returned from Moscow, where he attended the Sovintern Forum in late April. He recounted two incidents involving an unknown individual, whose identity he chose not to disclose publicly, entrusting the authorities with that task.
Incidents of Harassment in Havana
The first incident occurred during the Patria colloquium in Old Havana, where the individual exhibited aggressive behavior. "He's been following me around Havana. Initially, he took a threatening stance during the Patria colloquium," Velázquez recounted.
The second episode unfolded at the Hotel Nacional, with the same person trailing and directly threatening him: "You're lucky, but I'll catch you in the streets of Havana," according to El Necio, who claims there are witnesses to both events.
Precautionary Measures and Public Denouncement
The journalist explained that he made the public complaint as a precautionary measure. "If anything happens to me, at least there's a record, a police report," he stated, adding that he requested the authorities to review security footage to identify the assailant.
Velázquez also referenced a colleague's case: "Recently, a fellow journalist, the Guajiro Citadino, was attacked in the streets of Havana, and the assailant fled. It's essential to report such incidents promptly."
El Necio's Stance and Controversial Background
As a collaborator for the Granma newspaper and a key digital propagandist for the regime, Velázquez was outspoken in his stance: "Those who behave like fascist thugs should know that we'll report them and that we are not afraid."
This video emerges months after the United States imposed visa restrictions on him in February for allegedly engaging in harassment campaigns against U.S. diplomats in Cuba, including the chargé d'affaires, Mike Hammer. El Necio denied the allegations, calling them a political reprisal.
During his recent visit to Moscow, the journalist expressed admiration for Putin and the Russian people, and even recited a poem to former dictator Fidel Castro in front of his statue in the Russian capital.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
Reactions to the video were mixed. While many followers offered support — "Take care, but don't give up, Cuba needs you" — others appreciated the gesture: "Excellent, it's the best move to leave a precedent." However, some online users responded with skepticism or irony.
One comment noted, "It's good you're reporting this. But don't turn it into a spectacle." Another, more sarcastic, remarked, "The circus has started, but there's no bread."
An internet user raised a broader question: "If the public could report without fear of punishment, the tribunal would need to be enormous, with not enough judges to handle so many injustices."
The underlying question remains: will the police, known for overlooking ordinary citizens' complaints, react differently when the complainant is a journalist serving the regime?
Understanding the Cuban Police Response
What prompted El Necio to file a police report?
El Necio decided to file a police report after experiencing harassment and threats from an unknown individual in Havana, believing it necessary to create a formal record of these incidents.
How did the public react to El Necio's video?
Public reactions were mixed; some expressed support and commended his actions, while others were skeptical or ironic, questioning the sincerity of his complaint.
What are the implications of El Necio's allegations?
The allegations raise questions about whether the Cuban police will address complaints differently when they come from a regime-affiliated journalist, as opposed to ordinary citizens.