Lumey Guzmán Fernández, a 44-year-old self-employed resident from the Alamar neighborhood in East Havana, is marking ten days in detention at El Vivac prison. Her arrest followed a live Facebook broadcast in which she openly criticized the Cuban regime and addressed the ongoing power crisis.
According to Martí Noticias, Guzmán was arrested on July 9, just hours after her live stream from her neighborhood, which had been without electricity for over 90 hours.
In her broadcast, she directly addressed Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and Lis Cuesta Peraza: “This video is for the president who claims Cuba withstands with dignity. This video is for Bruno [Rodríguez], who says Cuba has an economy. This video is for Machi [Lis Cuesta], who says Cuba is light. This video is for the people of zone six in Alamar, ... take off the blindfold.”
She also urged her neighbors to protest: “We can’t take it anymore. We’ve been over ninety-six hours without power. They give it for a moment, and then they take it away. Hit the streets, zone six. Enough with this communism. Down with the dictatorship. Homeland and life.”
In closing, she issued a challenge to authorities: “I’m ready, come get me if you want, I can’t stand it anymore.”
That same afternoon, she was summoned to the Alamar police station at 4:30 PM and was detained immediately upon confirming her identity as the video's author.
After being processed at the Cojímar station, she was moved to El Vivac on July 15, where she remains in pre-trial detention, cut off from communication and denied bail.
Her brother, Rodney Guzmán, who lives in Tampa, Florida, described her detention conditions: “They are treating her like a criminal for simply speaking the truth many Cubans fear to voice.”
Rodney also noted that contact with his sister is severely restricted: “We can’t bring her food or see her. We’ve managed to deliver hygiene items, clothes, and cigarettes. That’s all they allow. A formal visit to sit and talk with her hasn’t happened.”
Authorities have charged Guzmán with alleged contempt, but her family fears charges of sedition may be fabricated due to her calls for public protest.
All of her social media profiles and videos have been removed, though it’s unclear if this was done by security forces or under duress.
This incident is not isolated. Guzmán has a history of digital activism: in April 2026, she directly messaged Díaz-Canel on Instagram, and in May, she posted a viral video stating: “We live in a place that cannot be called a country, where we have no dreams, no rights, no hope.”
Organizations like Justicia 11J and the Fuera de la Caja Cuba collective have condemned her detention as “retaliation incompatible with international human rights standards” and have called for her immediate release.
Prisoners Defenders includes Guzmán on its list of political prisoners under provisional detention, noting that Cuba has reached a historic high of 1,306 political prisoners, according to the organization, on the fifth anniversary of the July 11 protests.
The energy crisis that fueled Guzmán's video remains severe: on July 16, the electricity generation deficit hit 2,240 MW during peak hours, with only 990 MW available against a demand of 3,200 MW, leaving 69% of the demand unmet nationwide.
Cuban Political Climate and Energy Crisis FAQs
What led to Lumey Guzmán Fernández's arrest?
Lumey Guzmán Fernández was arrested after she posted a live video on Facebook criticizing the Cuban regime and discussing the severe power outages affecting her community.
What are the conditions of Guzmán's detention?
Guzmán is held in pre-trial detention at El Vivac, with limited contact with the outside world and no access to bail. Her family can only provide her with essential items like hygiene products and clothing.
How has the international community responded to Guzmán's detention?
Organizations such as Justicia 11J and Fuera de la Caja Cuba have condemned her detention, describing it as a violation of international human rights standards, and have called for her immediate release.