Havana/The Cuban teacher and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández She was arrested this Thursday by police forces when she was on her way to Liberty Park, in the center of Matanzas, where every day the 18th she holds a peaceful demonstration in defense of human rights. Here is what they allege, the violation of the house arrest imposed on her.
According to information confirmed by her family, the academic was intercepted near the Victoria de Girón stadium and transferred to the Playa police unit, where she remained detained.
The academic was intercepted near the Victoria de Girón stadium
Her daughter, Lilian Borroto López, had warned that she would demonstrate if her mother was not released. “She was on her way to the park for her usual protest. She sent me a message before they stopped her,” Lilian said in statements previously offered to 14ymedio.
Hours later, Borroto was arrested while she was preparing to carry out this civic action. The information was spread by his sister Cecilia Borroto López through social networks, where he reported that the doctor – sick with arbovirus at the time of arrest – was transported in a civilian vehicle and described the event as a “kidnapping.” From her Facebook profile, Cecilia also confirmed that the activist and writer Jorge F. Erais also detained along with mother and daughter.
The arrests provoked multiple reactions of solidarity. Academic Jenny Pantoja said that she would join the protests if those arrested were not released and warned about the increase in harassment towards those who participate in the every 18th protest, started by López Hernández more than two years ago, and which is followed by other activists in different parts of the country.
Hours after the publication, Pantoja was also detained and taken to the Dragones station in Havana, according to complaints on networks.
Hours after the publication, Pantoja was also arrested
Both Pantoja and López Hernández have a process open in which the Prosecutor’s Office requests four years and three years of correctional work for them, respectively. Both were accused of several crimes after an incident with officials from the Ministry of the Interior that occurred on June 18, 2024, but López herself has described the matter as a “judicial farce” for political reasons.
Since deciding to engage in public activism, López Hernández has faced fines, arrests and restrictions on movement, including a ban that prevents you from leaving the countrywhich prevented her from attending the meeting with MEPs for which she had been invited and other international meetings.
Despite these restrictions, López Hernández’s demands remain firm: the release of political prisoners, the end of repression and the implementation of political and social reforms in Cuba.
