SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- The activists Pedro QuialaCarlos Milanés Tejeda and Rafael Zamora Mederos were arrested this Wednesday in Havana and held at the Dragones police station in Old Havana for two hours.
According to the wife of this newspaper, Quialaalso a reporter and contributor to CubaNetThe three opponents were arrested at 12:30 p.m. by State Security agents, without indicating the reason for their arrest.
Activists, who systematically visit and help Cuban prisoners and sick people, are constantly harassed by the political police.
State Security has maintained surveillance at Pedro Quiala’s home. On significant dates, the activist is prevented from traveling to Havana.
Quiala, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and needs constant medication for his illness, was released two hours after his arrest, as were his colleagues Carlos Milanés Tejeda and Rafael Zamora.
The three opponents, in a live broadcast from Facebookthey denounced the harassment by State Security and the blackmail and threats received by the repressors.
Milanés stated that the arrest was made by an officer identified as “Luisito” at Quiala’s home. When he was taken to the police station, the officers threatened him for his alleged “ties to the United States exile” and “people who commit acts of terrorism on this island.”
The repressors threatened to penalize them for “discrediting” the government and “refuting” the official press. Specifically, they told Milanés that their reports for the independent media DNA Cuba created a “problem”.
“They said I am an imminent danger to commit acts of terrorism against the Cuban revolution,” he said in an audio message.
Quiala, for his part, said that the police also told him that he has “ties to terrorists” and could be sanctioned and penalized for “counterrevolutionary actions” in the streets of Havana.
“(They tell me) that I am inciting people to commit crimes and to demonstrate freely and supporting terrorism, but that is not the case. We are only helping and demanding respect for human rights in Cuba,” Quiala said.
The harassment has intensified since they attended a mass in honor of the deceased opposition leader Oswaldo Payá. The regime, according to They explainedused the context of that tribute to accuse them of relations with the leader’s daughter, Rosa María Payá, and with influencers Cubans accused of being terrorists by Castro forces.
The three activists are part of the Cuban Shield Movementwhich seeks to defend the human and civil rights of the Cuban people. “It is a movement made up of dignified men and women who recognize their responsibility, obligation and commitment to the Cuban people. A movement that seeks to become a physical and literal shield of protection for its people against all aggressors,” the organization states on its official website.
State Security, in its harassment of those who oppose the regime, not only chooses to summon, arrest and threaten, but also besieges people in their homes, cuts off internet service and uses intimidation tactics to maintain control during significant dates.
On the eve of the commemoration of the third anniversary of the historic protests of July 11 and 12 (11J) in Cuba, harassment and repression against activists, independent journalists and human rights defenders has intensified.
Among the victims of this repression were Jose Luis Tan Estradacorrespondent of CubaNet in Camagüey, who was arbitrarily detained in Agramonte Park on July 5 by State Security agents. During the interrogation, he was threatened and warned not to participate in any activities on July 11. Although he was released after several hours, the threat of imprisonment persisted.
Other activists were also targeted in this repressive campaign. Raymar Aguado Hernández, a writer and activist, was summoned by Officer Annette Rosales for questioning on July 9. Alejandro Garlobo was threatened with bans from leaving his home on July 11, 12 and 13. Eliosbel Quevedo Valladares, FANTU coordinator in Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos, received threats of “disappearance” if he took any action for the anniversary of 11J. Omar Suárez Campos and Jose Rolando Casares They were also placed under house arrest on July 11.
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