The Cuban activist Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano, who resides in the town of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba, was summoned on Tuesday by Cuban authorities, according to a report shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on social media.
This summons comes just a day before the official July 26th events scheduled in the area and a week after Pérez Serrano led a public protest that gained significant attention online.
During this protest, the activist was seen barefoot and in his underwear, holding a white sheet with the words "LIBERTY," "DEMOCRACY," "JUSTICE," and "DIGNITY" written in red. Documented by Mayeta Labrada as "The Sheet of Dignity in El Cobre," this act further solidified his status as a prominent opposition voice in the region.
A History of Defiance
Pérez Serrano is no stranger to publicly challenging the regime. In November 2025, he gained notoriety when he directly confronted Miguel Díaz-Canel during the leader's visit to El Cobre to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
In that exchange, which went viral both within and outside of Cuba, the activist highlighted the neglect faced by the displaced residents of the Guamuta community, where he claimed 90% of the population had lost their belongings after the hurricane. "We were left alone," he protested.
During this same visit, Díaz-Canel's response to a resident who had lost her bed was, "I don't have one to give you right now either," a remark that also sparked widespread reactions on social media.
Following this incident, Pérez Serrano's phone was unreachable for two days, causing concern among family and neighbors.
Escalating Repression
This latest summons occurs amid a climate of surveillance and intimidation against activists and dissidents during politically sensitive times. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) reported 1,949 repressive actions in the first half of 2026, including 257 arbitrary detentions and 488 illegal holds.
The organization Prisoners Defenders has characterized these actions as a form of "exemplary repression," aimed at deterring protests before they can occur.
While the central national event for the 73rd anniversary of the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks will be held this July 26th in Pinar del Río, official events are also planned in places like El Cobre to commemorate the occasion.
Beyond his activism, Pérez Serrano is the author of the testimonial book "The Dictatorship Under the Shadows of Fear," available on Amazon, where he shares his experiences within Cuba. He describes it as "an act of survival and a legacy to let his truth speak for him if he faces reprisals."
By spreading the report, Mayeta Labrada urged the international community and human rights organizations to stay alert to the activist's situation. "If this new summons is confirmed, it raises concerns about a potential act of intimidation against a citizen who has publicly and peacefully exercised his right to express his opinions," he stated.
Understanding the Current Repression in Cuba
What led to Yoel Alejandro Pérez Serrano's recent summons by the authorities?
Pérez Serrano was summoned by Cuban authorities following his public protest in El Cobre, where he called for liberty, democracy, justice, and dignity, gaining significant attention online.
How has the regime responded to protests in politically sensitive times?
The Cuban regime has increased surveillance and intimidation of activists during sensitive periods, with reports of arbitrary detentions and illegal holds as part of a strategy to deter protests.