Berta Soler, the leader of the Ladies in White, reported on Saturday that State Security agents surrounded the homes of the movement's members, as well as their national headquarters, from the early hours on the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests.
"As of the early hours today, July 11, 2026, homes of the Ladies in White and the national headquarters have been besieged by State Security oppressors," Soler stated on her Facebook account, accompanying her post with archive photos and the hashtag #RevolutionIsRepression.
This action aligns with the regime's systematic pattern of tightening its grip on dissidents and activists during symbolic dates, especially on anniversaries marking the largest anti-government social uprising in Cuba since 1994.
Record-Breaking Political Imprisonments
The surveillance operation is not an isolated incident. According to Prisoners Defenders, by the end of June 2026, Cuba had 1,306 political prisoners, a historical record that includes 40 minors. Of these, 338 remain imprisoned directly due to their involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests.
In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, the regime intensified house arrests, arbitrary detentions, and forced relocations to prevent activists from participating in commemorative events. On July 5 and 7, new protests erupted in the Havana neighborhood of Jaimanitas, with cries of "Down with the dictatorship!" and banging pots, amid power outages lasting up to 40 hours and widespread food shortages.
Ongoing Repression Against Soler
Soler has faced recent reprisals. On January 1st of this year, she was arrested while heading to the Peace Mass at the Havana Cathedral. In April 2025, she and her husband, former political prisoner Ángel Moya Acosta, were detained and subjected to 48 days of house arrest. By March 2026, Soler had reported an increase in repression with 246 violations and 540 repressive incidents documented in 45 different categories.
The Ladies in White, established in 2003 after the "Black Spring" when the regime imprisoned 75 dissidents, journalists, and activists, were awarded the Sakharov Prize by the European Parliament in 2005. However, no representative could collect the award because the dictatorship barred them from leaving the country.
International Pressure and Support
In light of the fifth anniversary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the release of Cuban political prisoners and emphasized the use of "all available tools" to foster change on the island. Meanwhile, diplomat Mike Hammer visited families of 11J political prisoners in Havana.
Understanding Cuba's Political Climate and Repression
What are the Ladies in White?
The Ladies in White is a Cuban opposition movement founded in 2003 by female relatives of jailed dissidents. They advocate for human rights and political reform in Cuba.
Why is the 11J anniversary significant?
The 11J anniversary marks the largest anti-government protests in Cuba since 1994, which occurred on July 11, 2021. It is a symbol of resistance against the Cuban regime.
How has the Cuban regime responded to anniversaries of protests?
The Cuban regime typically increases repression around protest anniversaries, including surveillance, arrests, and restrictions on activists to prevent commemorative actions.