On March 26, Cuba's State Security, one of the most feared and controversial entities of the communist regime, marked its 66th anniversary. In celebration, Cuba's leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, led a ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution, where he paid tribute to the agents, referring to them as "silent warriors" and "the pride of the Cuban people."
"I reaffirm the admiration and respect the Cuban people have for you. Every time a feat by the State Security combatants is recognized, a blow is dealt to the enemy; a victory is made public; or when the identity of a comrade in your ranks is revealed, it evokes a particular emotion from revolutionary sentiments," Díaz-Canel stated.
The event was attended by 66 active and veteran agents. The atmosphere was triumphalist, with the leader praising the operational capabilities of State Security to "thwart enemy plans," referring to opposition and critical voices both inside and outside of Cuba. "You have told stories that have been built in silence," he declared.
However, this secretive conduct, praised by the regime, has been widely condemned by activists, artists, and intellectuals for being a complex system of repression. According to Díaz-Canel, the agents have been "thorns in the side of the empire," but for many Cubans yearning for freedom, the end of the dictatorship, and a move towards true democracy, this repressive force has been the cornerstone of the regime's social and political control in Cuba.
The Role of State Security in Cuba
Attached to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), State Security is tasked with maintaining constant surveillance over anyone with views divergent from the government. They orchestrate arbitrary detentions, psychological harassment, smear campaigns, and forced exile against those who exercise free speech.
Artivist Hamlet Lavastida, now living in exile but who spent over 90 days detained in Villa Marista in 2021, publicly denounced a Counterintelligence officer known as "Samuel" on Thursday. Lavastida recognized him on Cuban TV during the government-organized event. "Samuel" was responsible for operations against independent art figures like Tania Bruguera, Katherine Bisquet, and Camila Lobón. He also pressured Lavastida to become an informant or face exile.
Lavastida revealed that the officer threatened to continue surveillance even abroad if he did not cease his "hostility against the Cuban State." "I await the day when all these henchmen and torturers will have to answer to the Cuban citizens. That they will face public scorn, be identified, denounced, and exposed," the artist wrote.
Though the event at the Palace of the Revolution was presented as an homage to "patriotism and humility," the flip side of State Security, that of persecuting dissent, remains an open wound for those who have directly experienced the repression and fear instilled by this institution in Cuba.
Understanding Cuba's State Security Apparatus
What is the role of State Security in Cuba?
State Security in Cuba, under the Ministry of the Interior, is responsible for monitoring individuals with dissenting views and orchestrating actions such as detentions, harassment, and forced exile against those who oppose the government.
Who is Hamlet Lavastida and what did he reveal?
Hamlet Lavastida is an artivist who spent over 90 days detained in Cuba. He publicly identified an officer involved in his interrogation and revealed how he was pressured to become an informant or face exile.
How has State Security contributed to the Cuban regime's control?
State Security has been a fundamental tool for the regime to maintain social and political control by repressing dissent and instilling fear among those who criticize the government.