The organization Justicia 11J raised alarm this Thursday over the arbitrary detention of Lumey Guzmán, a 44-year-old Cuban entrepreneur from the Alamar neighborhood in Havana. Guzmán has been held for roughly a week following her social media criticisms of the Cuban regime.
According to the collective Fuera de la Caja Cuba, which brought the case to public attention, Guzmán attended a police summons on July 10 in Alamar and has not been released since.
Reports from the Havana Times indicate that her family has been unable to contact her or receive official information about her whereabouts for nearly two days.
During this period, Guzmán has been transferred between various police stations and has experienced periods of isolation, making it difficult to ascertain her legal standing.
The National Revolutionary Police, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Prosecutor's Office have yet to issue any statement confirming her detention, the charges against her, or her current location.
Violation of Free Speech
Justice 11J has described this detention as a "reprisal incompatible with international human rights standards," emphasizing that "detaining someone for their social media content" is a violation of free speech rights.
The organization has demanded "immediate information about Lumey Guzmán's status, the respect of all her procedural guarantees, and an end to the persecution of those who peacefully express their opinions and dissent."
A Vocal Critic of the Regime
Guzmán has gained recognition as a vocal critic. In March, she condemned the excessive banking fees imposed by the regime on Cubans, which reach up to 10% of the withdrawal amount with a cap of 5,000 pesos per transaction.
In April, Guzmán directly addressed the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel in a viral Instagram video, saying, "Let him go, but let him really go away!" This was in response to a survey indicating that 81% of Cubans wanted him out of power.
By May, she had posted a 33-second video highlighting the daily devastation caused by power outages lasting 20 to 25 hours.
She emphasized, "We live in a place where we once had dreams, hope, and rights. Now, we reside in a place that cannot be called a country, where dreams, rights, and hope no longer exist."
Context of Increased Repression
Guzmán's case unfolds amidst an unprecedented wave of repression. According to Prisoners Defenders, Cuba reached a historic peak in July with 1,306 political prisoners, including 40 minors.
In the first half of the year alone, there were 257 arbitrary detentions and 488 unlawful home detentions across the island.
The same collective, Fuera de la Caja Cuba, which highlighted Guzmán's situation, has also faced repression. On July 2, four of its members were detained for nearly 11 hours to prevent them from attending the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence event at the residence of Chief of Mission Mike Hammer.
Understanding the Repression in Cuba
Why was Lumey Guzmán detained?
Lumey Guzmán was reportedly detained for her critical social media posts against the Cuban regime.
What actions have been taken by human rights organizations?
Organizations like Justicia 11J have condemned the detention and demanded immediate information about Guzmán's status and respect for her legal rights.
How prevalent is political repression in Cuba?
Political repression in Cuba is at an all-time high, with reports of over 1,306 political prisoners, including minors, as of July.