AREQUIPA, Peru – A young Cuban identified as Sergio Díaz Suria was jailed on Monday in Cárdenas, Matanzas, after refusing to join the mandatory military service established by the regime on the island.
Anisleydis Suria, mother of the person involved, reported the incident on social networks through a publication
“Yesterday, August 19, my heart broke when they told me that they had put you in prison for the simple reason of not wanting to do mandatory military service, but don’t worry, my love, your mother is here to do the impossible for you,” wrote the mother.
Amid supportive comments from family and friends, Suria expressed hope that her son’s case will be resolved. “We’ll get through this, my love, soon we’ll be together again. I love you, my boy,” she said.
The circumstances of the arrest are still unknown. Sergio Díaz Suria’s mother has not shared any details about the authorities’ statements on the matter.
According to the National Defense Actservice is compulsory for men between 17 and 28 years of age for a period of 24 months. In the case of those who have obtained university places, this period is reduced by half.
Despite A Cuban official assured the UN that this recruitment was voluntary.the compulsory nature of Cuban Military Service has never been questioned.
This was reinforced by the 2019 Constitution, which prohibited the use of conscientious objection to avoid compliance. Young people who refuse to join, arguing, for example, that taking up arms is not compatible with their religion, are prosecuted.
According to the new Military Penal Code Published in June 2023 in Cuba, up to five years in prison could be inflicted on those who evade the Service. The legislative project intensifies the punishments intended for recruits. If previously they could be outside the unit for up to 15 days without being considered as “deserters”, now they fall into the category immediately.
