The United States Embassy in Cuba released a video on Friday featuring testimonies from activists who were barred from attending the Independence Day celebration, posing a direct question to the Cuban regime: "Why are you so afraid of them?"
The event, called #Freedom250, took place on Wednesday at the residence of Chief of Mission Mike Hammer, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The State Security deployed extensive measures to prevent independent journalists, activists, and dissidents from participating in the gathering.
A particularly targeted group was the youth collective, Fuera de la Caja Cuba, whose members were summoned by police on Tuesday to receive "official warnings" just before the event.
One activist bluntly stated in the video, "They do everything wrong, except for repression; they're experts at that."
Another member recounted, "This dictatorship has stopped us from attending. On Tuesday, my brother and I were summoned for Wednesday, the day of the activity," as shared in the embassy-released footage.
Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known as Anna Bensi, aged 21, and evangelical pastor Rolando Pérez Lora, also known as Pregonero de Cristo, were detained for nearly 11 hours on Thursday at the Alamar police station in Eastern Havana, exceeding the legal two-hour limit set by Cuban law.
Anna Bensi was released at 8:56 p.m. on Wednesday, greeted by tears and applause.
Siblings Amanda Beatriz and Abel Alejandro Andrés Navarro, also part of Fuera de la Caja Cuba, were summoned to the PNR Unit on Aguilera Street in the Diez de Octubre municipality and were released before Bensi.
The operation was widespread and synchronized. Journalist Yoani Sánchez, founder of the digital newspaper 14ymedio, reported a "political police operation under our building to stop us from leaving home."
ABC's correspondent in Cuba, Camila Acosta, noted increased surveillance outside her residence: "The operation is stronger than usual."
Activists Marthadela Tamayo and Osvaldo Navarro were directly apprehended. Journalist Henry Constantín from Camagüey was warned of arrest if he attempted to travel to Havana, and Wilber Aguilar Bravo, father of a political prisoner from the July 11 protests, woke up to agents at his door.
During the reception, Hammer addressed the attendees, condemning the operation and labeling the regime a "repressive machine" that somehow has resources and fuel amidst the ongoing crisis.
He publicly questioned: "Where is Yoani Sánchez? Where is Ana Sofía Benítez? Where are the young people from Fuera de la Caja? This is unacceptable."
This pattern isn't new. In 2025, regime agents tried to intercept Camila Acosta's diplomatic vehicle to prevent her from attending the July 4 reception that year.
Anna Bensi has been under house arrest since March 25, accused alongside her mother of "acts against personal privacy," facing sentences ranging from two to five years in prison.
She was summoned by Cuban police days earlier following a public confrontation with Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, a former intelligence agent and national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.
Hammer concluded the evening with a toast, capturing the spirit of those who managed to attend despite the odds: "Here's to Cuba's freedom by 2026."
Understanding the Repression of Activists in Cuba
Why did the Cuban regime prevent activists from attending the celebration?
The Cuban regime sought to prevent independent journalists, activists, and dissidents from participating to maintain control and avoid public dissent at a high-profile event.
Who are the members of Fuera de la Caja Cuba?
Fuera de la Caja Cuba is a youth collective known for its opposition to the Cuban regime, advocating for freedom and human rights within the country.
What legal limitations were surpassed during the detentions?
Activists such as Anna Bensi were detained for nearly 11 hours, exceeding the Cuban legal limit of two hours for detention without charge.
How did the US Embassy respond to these events?
The US Embassy condemned the Cuban government's actions, highlighting them as a form of repression and questioning the regime's fear of young activists.