The Cuban regime's prosecution has demanded prison sentences reaching up to 13 years for three women from the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) who engaged in a peaceful protest against power outages on November 15, 2024, in the town of Palmarito de Cauto, Mella municipality, Santiago de Cuba province.
According to a report by Martí Noticias, the women facing charges are Mileidis Maceo Quiñones, Edilkis León Giraudis, and Oneida Quiñones. The prosecution is requesting 13 years of imprisonment for Mileidis, eight years for Edilkis, and five years for Oneida, accusing them of public disorder and property damage.
The protest that led to these charges occurred when numerous residents took to the streets, banging pots to demand the restoration of electricity after enduring several hours without power.
Repression and Arrests
The protest was met with repression by the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and Rapid Response Brigades, who resorted to verbal assaults. In retaliation, some protestors threw stones, with one striking a police patrol car.
Elba León Giraudis, Edilkis's sister, confirmed to Martí Noticias that the prosecution's request was made about a month and a half ago, yet the trial date remains unset.
Current Status of the Accused
Mileidis Maceo and Edilkis León have been detained in the women's prison in the province since December 4, 2024, after being moved from the Mella Police Unit, where they had been held for 19 days. Oneida Quiñones, who suffers from a physical disability, is under house arrest.
The Mella municipal prosecution has twice denied defense lawyers' requests to change the precautionary measures, which aimed to allow the women to await trial at home.
A fourth individual involved, young Rafael Borrero Torres, has been cleared of all charges, allegedly due to being a minor at the time of the events.
Pattern of Criminalizing Dissent
Elba León described the prosecution's demands as excessive and abusive.
This case is part of a documented pattern of criminalizing protests. In Encrucijada, Villa Clara province, six individuals who protested on November 7, 2024, against blackouts received prison sentences of up to eight years. Similarly, in Bayamo, 15 protestors from March 2024 were sentenced to between three and nine years for similar actions.
Human rights organizations have detailed how Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime uses legal structures to criminalize citizens protesting the dire living conditions and frequent blackouts plaguing the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Protests in Cuba
What are the charges against the three Cuban women?
The women are charged with public disorder and property damage following their participation in a peaceful protest against power outages.
Why were the protests in Santiago de Cuba held?
The protests were organized to demand the restoration of electricity after prolonged blackouts in the region.
How has the Cuban government responded to protests?
The Cuban government has responded to protests with repression, including arrests and harsh prison sentences, often criminalizing dissent through legal means.