Cuban singer Dianelys Alfonso Cartaya, better known as La Diosa, made an impassioned plea on Thursday for Cubans on the island to support Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, as they faced trial at the Municipal Popular Court of East Havana in Cojímar.
"Don't leave her alone. She's speaking up for you and your family. You're feeling the same as she is. Rise up and support her," the artist declared in a video shared on Facebook.
Speaking from Miami, where she has lived since 2023, La Diosa highlighted the numerous challenges Cubans endure daily—such as frequent power outages and deteriorating living conditions—to emphasize that support for Bensi should extend beyond social media.
"Today can be a great day if you choose it to be. However, if you stay seated, you will face endless suffering, continuing without electricity, living as you do, with the undignified life you have," she asserted.
A Call for Courage and Action
La Diosa compared the young activist's bravery to the historical courage of Mariana Grajales in Cuba and reiterated, "If you sit at home and don't support her, the entire Cuban people know what will happen."
She also addressed the judicial proceedings against Bensi, revealing that authorities allegedly offered to drop charges if Bensi publicly retracted her videos.
"They asked her to retract all her videos to completely drop the trial," she stated.
The singer questioned the penalty sought against the young woman, adding, "They're asking for two years in prison for a woman who has simply spoken her mind." However, prior reports indicated the complainant's lawyer is seeking two years of restricted freedom for each defendant.
Trial Amidst Surveillance and Arrests
The case against 21-year-old Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, began in March 2026 after they recorded and shared on social media a visit from Ministry of Interior sub-officer Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos to their home in Alamar, delivering a State Security summons.
Mother and daughter face charges of "acts against personal and family privacy" and have been under house arrest with a travel ban since March 25.
Before entering the court on Thursday, Bensi defended her right to free expression.
"None of us are criminals. We are simply expressing ourselves through a screen, which is not a weapon but a phone, our thoughts. We disagree with our country's political system, it's wrong, and that is not a crime," she stated.
The trial was presided over by Judge Zamira Marrero Morgado, noted by activists for her involvement in cases against July 11th demonstrators.
The day was also marked by a significant police presence and reports of arrests and movement restrictions against activists and others trying to reach the court.
Among those detained were Christian activist David Espinosa Martínez and evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known as "Christ's Herald."
The group Fuera de la Caja Cuba reported that State Security agents monitored their homes, preventing them from leaving during part of the morning, while independent journalist Yoani Sánchez reported surveillance near her residence.
La Diosa's call was part of a wave of solidarity from Cuban artists, religious figures, and activists, including Andy Vázquez, Kristoff Kriollo, Claudia Artiles, and Claudia Valdés.
The Western Baptist Convention of Cuba also publicly supported the mother and daughter, echoing La Diosa's sentiment: "We cannot, we do not want to, and we will not leave them alone."
Key Questions on Anna Bensi's Trial and Support
What charges are Anna Bensi and her mother facing?
Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, are charged with "acts against personal and family privacy" after recording a visit from a Ministry of Interior officer.
How has La Diosa shown support for Anna Bensi?
La Diosa has called on Cubans to support Anna Bensi and her mother by urging them to rise up and show solidarity beyond social media, emphasizing the importance of collective action.
Who else has shown solidarity with Anna Bensi and her mother?
Artists, religious figures, and activists, including Andy Vázquez, Kristoff Kriollo, Claudia Artiles, Claudia Valdés, and the Western Baptist Convention of Cuba, have publicly supported Anna Bensi and her mother.