“Live I hold the government responsible for anything that might happen to me (…) I have to go.” Those were the last words of Youtube Cuban Dina Stars cut short a live interview with a Spanish channel on Tuesday after the island’s authorities went to her home for her.
But just as he was about to begin his story, he made signs with his hands to stop. “State security is there,” he said in the direct link. “I have to get out,” he added. Minutes later he went with the authorities.
While this was happening, the DISAPARECIDOS Facebook page filled up with #SOSCuba Dozens of messages from people denouncing the disappearance of a family member or friend After the historic demonstrations last Sunday.
One of the messages reads: “Our friend (…) has been arrested, like many others, in Unit 3 of the PNR in Camaguey. Policemen treat families of detainees on the sidewalk.”
The list of people whose whereabouts are unknown rises to more than 100, According to a register kept by the San Isidro Movement (MSI), which is composed of intellectuals and university students. MSI added that at this time it houses exhibitions Guillermo Fariñas and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara.
The same movement signed a letter with other organizations and independent media condemning the “Cuban government’s suppression of citizens’ protests”, stressing that it It is the result of lack of food and sanitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, frequent power cuts, and a lack of individual liberties.
They restrict access to social networks
In addition to the arrests reported by the organizations, a monitoring group on the Internet on Tuesday reported that Cuban authorities cut off access to major social media platforms To try to stop the flow of information before the demonstrations against the government.
Data from the London-based group NetBlocks showed outages since Monday in WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, as well as on some Telegram servers. Government can boycott access via state-owned ETECSA —Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba— And the only mobile communications service is Cubacel, according to NetBlocks.
NetBlocks said some Cubans were able to get around the restrictions by using VPNs or VPNs. The group said the blockade is similar to the one imposed during the San Isidro Movement for Artistic Freedom protests in Havana in November 2020.
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