HAVANA.- He learned to play the guitar and the bukelele through YouTube tutorials, he sings and composes his songs, acting and photography are also his passions, but Anna Sofia Benitez Silventebetter known as Anna Bensistands out for its content on social networks loaded with criticism of the dictatorship on the Island.
About six months ago, his first video went viral, in it he explained the vicissitudes he went through to get your degree of Higher Technician in Stomatological Prosthetics. Since then, their questions about the system have been intensifying and becoming more and more frontal. Due to this, she became unemployed, but she assures that she will continue exposing reality because it is her way of raising her voice for the freedom of Cuba.
She lives alone with her mother, Caridad Silvente, in an apartment in Alamar, Havana. The mother, despite the fear that the regime could harm her, said she was proud of her daughter and, as practicing Christians, trusted in the will of the Lord.
In the middle of a blackoutCubaNet spoke with the 21-year-old girl about her content on social networks as well as her personal life and aspirations amid the uncertainty and general misery in which Cubans survive.
How did you start creating content on social networks?
I started the political content with the video related to what I was facing with my university degree, that was in September of last year. Before that I published humor and music content on Instagram; After that first video I continued with others related to the situation in the country, which already saturated me. I talked about it with my mom, and my intention is to use my influence to raise my voice.
I was very surprised by the impact that first video had on the public.
The situation with your university degree was resolved. Have you been able to exercise?
Not at all. They assigned me a job, as part of the so-called social service, in Guanabacoa, but the transportation is terrible, what I was going to spend on transportation was more than what I was going to earn as a salary, of just three thousand pesos (approximately six USD). My sister has always helped us, she lives in the United States; But at that time she was in bad shape financially so I had no choice but to go to work privately, in a private business, which had nothing to do with what I studied, but paid more.
In relation to your content on social networks, we have seen an evolution, that is, they are increasingly more frontal with the Cuban regime, you have come to directly ask for freedom for Cuba. What led you to that?
I make these videos with the aim of raising awareness, especially among young people, who are the future of the country. I also do them as a way to free myself, to express myself. Maybe a video won’t change the situation much, but raising your voice is another step in the process of freedom.
What is the process like?
I always opt for a topic that people will empathize with, with which they will feel identified. I write the scripts myself, I dress up, I play the characters, I record, edit and upload the content.
Have you had problems with the Cuban authorities because of that?
Yes. For example, they have cut off my phone and internet service for several hours, sometimes I have to anchor myself to other people to upload the videos. We have also seen motorcycles and LADA cars parked in front of the building in a suspicious manner, as if on surveillance. I also lost my job, recently.
What happened, Anna?
I worked in a Beauty Salon in Old Havana, in December my boss took me aside and told me that she had received a call from a State Security officer, who asked about me. Then I decided to leave there, because I felt pressured, cornered. That’s why I’m currently unemployed. It is the price of continuing to raise your voice.
What does your family tell you? Do they support you or not?
With the family it has been difficult. Some of them don’t support me at all, those who do support me are my mother and my sister. In fact, it is thanks to my sister that I have been able to acquire the tools to make the videos, such as lamps, microphone and phone tripod. It’s all thanks to God, who uses her so that I can have all that and can create the videos.
Others remain neutral. Some have told me to be careful or not to take risks, not to get “into it”, that is, in direct criticism of the system.
I never thought that part of my family would separate me or reject me because of my way of thinking.
What do you think?
That Cuba needs a change, it needs freedom, because there is a dictatorship.
What would you respond to those people who tell you to shut up and stay out of trouble?
I would tell them that the fact that we don’t have electricity, or food, or that I am unemployed, is politics. That the Cuban State does not cover any of my needs and it is a right and a personal decision that I want to express myself, say what I think.
I am 21 years old, I think it is old enough to take a position in society, to know what is right or wrong, and to make my own decisions.
I appreciate that people come concerned, because it is a risk to say what you think in this dictatorship. But I’m not going to shut up.
What have people on the street said to you? Have they recognized you?
Yes, thank God, I have not had any bad experiences. Most of those who have approached me are people who support me, and are happy with what I do. Until now, no young people have approached me, who are the ones I would really like to reach, but they have been older people. Many even work in places where they cannot LIKE me (centers or state institutions), but they approach me and thank me for my work; This has surprised me.
You have mentioned God on several occasions. Are you a Christian, Anna?
Yes. God saved my life on more than one occasion, one of them from cancer that miraculously disappeared. That’s why my mom went to the feet of Christ. My relationship with God has been very personal and, beyond the fact that he saved me from death, I feel him very close, also when I read the Bible. Even when I don’t achieve my goals, I don’t get sad because I trust in him, and that everything in life has a purpose.
I always pray; My mom and I also pray before uploading a video to social media. God is the center of my life.
Do you have hope for change in Cuba?
Yes. I have a lot of hope, especially in 2026, that an atmosphere of freedom will be felt.
