In yet another example of Cuba's oppressive policies, Lisnay Mederos Torres, the chief prosecutor of the People's Court in Havana, has made statements reinforcing the Cuban government's stance on clamping down on any actions deemed to disrupt the established order. Her remarks, which were echoed by the official media outlet Canal Habana, emphasized that while Cuban citizens are "disciplined and resilient," authorities will act "with full rigor and severity" against any behavior considered transgressive.
Mederos Torres stressed the need for respecting authority, indicating that this respect should extend to all public officials, auxiliary agents, and any authority figures operating under the Defense Council's mandate. "We have rights, but those rights must not be overstepped. We all must fulfill our duties as citizens," was one of the most notable threats from the Havana provincial prosecutor.
The prosecutor also addressed crimes such as assault, theft, robbery, and damage to critical economic infrastructure, including the electrical grid and public telephony. She underscored the seriousness of these offenses in the current context, especially when they affect "assets of special importance to the country's economy." According to her, Article 79 of the Cuban Penal Code intensifies penalties under such circumstances, leading to harsher sentences for those committing these crimes during times of crisis.
Judicial System as a Tool of Control
Recent international reports have highlighted arbitrary prosecutions and detentions of citizens expressing dissent in public spaces or on social media, showcasing the judicial system's use as a mechanism to consolidate state control and suppress any attempt at public questioning.
The repression of protests and censorship of dissenting opinions have raised growing concerns about the lack of civil liberties in the nation, particularly as social discontent appears to be on the rise. Since the protests on July 11, 2021, the Cuban government has maintained its repressive response to dissent, employing legal threats and the criminalization of oppositional acts as tools to deter social unrest. During that time, the Ministry of the Interior identified crimes such as shouting "Patria y Vida," a phrase that had become a symbol of resistance.
Continued Warnings Against Activism
Furthermore, in October 2021, the Attorney General's Office issued warnings about potential criminal penalties for those participating in protests, highlighting efforts to neutralize activism and discourage any public demonstrations against the regime.
In October 2022, the Cuban prosecutors reiterated their threats, specifically targeting individuals filmed or captured on video during protests following several days without water or electricity. This ongoing intimidation underscores the regime's strategy to stifle dissent and maintain its grip on power amid growing public frustration.