Human Rights
Cuban regime begins early crackdown on N15 protests: live updates
Hours before Cuba's N15 protest, the Cuban regime cracks down on activists, journalists, and civilians.
November 14, 2021 12:55pm
Updated: November 15, 2021 11:22am
On Sunday, the Cuban regime began cracking down on activists, journalists, and civilians one day before the N15 protests. Many have been arbitrarily arrested or summoned for interrogation. Others have been placed under surveillance at their homes to prevent them from leaving.
This week, the regime declared the protests illegal and said. That anyone who intended to participate in them will be charged with “inciting crime.”
Cities worldwide join Cuba’s N15 protests
On November 15, Cubans plan to demonstrate in support of democracy, human rights, the release of political prisoners, and political freedom on the island. The protests are organized by the group Archipiélago, led by Cuban playwright Yunior Garcia.
In the previous weeks, the Communist Party of Cuba banned the protests and began cracking down on the organizers and citizens who planned to participate.
As of now, citizens of 122 cities from Finland to Uruguay are joining in solidarity and have planned protests on November 13, 14, and 15. Find out which cities and more details on their protests in this map.
6:10 - Los Angeles joins 15N protests
ADN Cuba reports live on 15N protests happening in Los Angeles.
5:42 - Cuban Americans in Connecticut march for democracy in Cuba
The Cuban-American community of Connecticut rallied in front of the State Capital, standing in solidarity with protesters in Cuba.
"The Cubans and Cuban Americans in Connecticut opposed to the Castro regime and that we favor Democratic change - elections, the release of political prisoners and we support the people who are marching tomorrow," said Dr. Victor Triay in an interview.
5:34 - Solidarity Protests in Miami
Citizens of Miami have joined in solidarity for 15N protests.
5:09 - Cuban singer Leoni Torres shows support for protests
Popular Cuban singer Leoni Torres urged his fans to support the Archipiélago group at a concert in Florida. There are “the new heroes of Cuba,” he said.
"You know what is happening right now in Cuba and there is a site that I want you to follow, I follow it and I leave comments there to support them and grow in followers, it's called Archipelago," the musician said.
Regarding the Civic March for Change called for tomorrow he stated:
"We do not know if November 15 is going to happen what we all hope will happen, but if it is not on the 15th, it will be on the 16th, if not on the 17th, if not in December, if not in January, but at some point it is going to have to happen".
At the end of October, Torres supported the open letter published by Archipelago, where they asked Cuban families not to collaborate with government repression and to support the young people who will demonstrate on November 15 in favor of human rights.
4:15 - Historian and Philosopher Victor Gonzalez is detained by police
Victor Gonzalez, a historian and philosopher, was detained by the police in Holguín, Cuba. Gonzalez is a supporter of the 15N protests.
“We demand the immediate release of Victor, and the cessation of these actions of harassment against him and other Cuban citizens who are only exercising their universally recognized right to demonstrate and express themselves freely,” posted Archipiélago on Facebook.
3:15 - The Cuban regime has conducted hundreds of repressive acts today
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) has reported at least a hundred of repressive actions by the Cuban regime, as it seeks to prevent citizens from participating in tomorrow’s marches.
The actions include 29 summons to police stations, 19 arrests, 31 households under police surveillance, and 11 warnings. The provinces where more repressive actions have been reported include Havana, Villa Clara, Guantanamo, and Camagüey.
The Cuban regime is also silencing the press. Cuban authorities withdrew press credentials from EFE journalists.
2:23 p.m. - Solidarity delegation plans to travel to Cuba on humanitarian mission for N15
A delegation headed by Rosa María Payá, founder of Cuba Decide, plans to travel to Cuba on Monday on a humanitarian mission to observe the peaceful demonstrations. The delegations also includes two members of the European Parliament plan to join the delegation and influences Alexander Otaola. The group also aims to visit political prisoners and hospitals.
"The Cuban nation, which lives inside and outside the island, will be on the streets this November 15th because we want to recover our country and move forward in freedom. We have requested permits to fly tomorrow and participate from Cuba because, as Cubans, we have that right. We deeply appreciate the solidarity of the MEPs who accompany us to be impartial observers of this historic day”, said Rosa María Payá in an official statement.
1:38 p.m. - Regime spokesman criticizes N15 protests
Regime-backed journalist Humberto Lopez posted a video on Facebook criticizing claims that police were preventing people from leaving their homes.
The video shows a group of people dancing and shouting “I am Fidel" and "socialist Cuba."
12:30 p.m. - Activist denounces repudiation act outside his home
Cuban activists Victor Ruiz said over 20 people are gathered outside his house to repudiate him.
11:20 a.m. - The US embassy in Cuba calls for peaceful demonstrations
The Embassy of the United States in Cuba called for respect for human rights and peaceful demonstrations ahead of N15 protests.
Calling for Respect for Human Rights and Peaceful Demonstrations in Cuba on November 15: https://t.co/kVFd3ZYGl6
— Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Cuba (@USEmbCuba) November 14, 2021
11:00 a.m. - Representative Salazar calls for solidarity in N15 protests
Representative Maria Elvira Salazar criticized the Cuban regime’s treatment of Archipiélago’s leader Yunior Garcia. A few hours ago, police surrounded Garcia’s house and prevented him from joining the protests.
“The Cuban regime fears peaceful dissidence. He is being intimidated in his own home. He is not alone. We will march for him,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
11:00 a.m. - Cuban regime prevents N15 protest organizer from demonstrating
State security agents seek to prevent Yunior García, organizer of the N15 protests and leader of the Archipiélago group, from leaving his house to demonstrate.
“The building is surrounded by State Security agents in civilian clothes, posing as people, as they usually do. There are cars in every corner and groups of them at the bottom of the stairs, said Garcia in a Facebook post.
Yunior had planned to peacefully demonstrate, taking with him only a white rose to show the non-violent nature of the protests.
Journalists reported that Garcia’s street was closed off and police surrounded his entire block. The international press is being kept some 200 yards away from Garcia’s house.
The street where Yunior García Aguilera lives has been closed off. Cuban police have surrounded his block and a group of men just hung a large flag over his window. He said earlier he would march by himself today but not clear if he will be allowed to leave. pic.twitter.com/CFvEUxroBl
— Patrick Oppmann CNN (@CNN_Oppmann) November 14, 2021
“Unfortunately, we are returning to the worst times… To horrible hatred between some Cubans and others,” he continued to say.
8:05 a.m. - Ladies in White members placed under surveillance
Many of the members of the opposition movement Ladies in White were placed under surveillance by regime authorities.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticizes Cuban regime’s intimidation acts
Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a press statement calling for respect for human rights and peaceful demonstrations at N15 protests.
“On November 15, Cubans will again call on their government to hear their aspirations for a better future. The Cuban government has already made clear that it does not want to listen; the regime has denied permission for the protests, dismissed opposition supporters from their jobs, and threatened dissenters with imprisonment. We strongly condemn these intimidation tactics, said the statement.
Blinken also called on democratic partners to support Cuban protestors seeking to exercise their right to protest.
ADN Cuba journalist under surveillance
Yadiris Luis Fuentes, a journalist for ADN Cuba, is currently under surveillance in her home. Since yesterday evening, State Security agents have been staking out her building, she said in an interview with ADN Cuba.
"Yesterday there were two and today there are seven, including First Lieutenant Manuel, sitting at the door in one of those black school chairs. The rest are standing all over the block. This is the center of Havana, maybe they hope something might happen,” she said.
Activists under house arrest since yesterday
Washington Post Journalist Abraham Jiménez Enoa was placed under house arrest by State Security agents this morning.
“I am besieged by State Security agents and police. They tell me that I am under house arrest until they decide. This is how the hours leading up to 15N are lived in Cuba," Jimenez tweeted.
Acabo de bajar a botar la basura de mi casa. No pude hacerlo porque estoy sitiado por agentes de la Seguridad del Estado y policías. Me dicen que estoy en arresto domiciliario hasta que ellos decidan. Así se viven las horas previas al #15N en #Cuba. #SOSCuba #InformarNoEsDelito
— Abraham Jiménez Enoa (@JimenezEnoa) November 14, 2021
Historian and social researcher Leonardo Fernández Otaño has been under surveillance since last night.
Mi casa está rodeada de agentes de la Seguridad del Estado y un auto de policías . Lo triste es que pueden ser mis padres o hermanos . #CubaEsUnaDictadura #15NCuba
— Leonardo Fdez Otaño (@Leo1992fdez) November 14, 2021
Archipiélago group reports the disappearance of their moderator
The Archipiélago group, organizers of the N15 protests, reported the disappearance of their moderator Daniela Rojo.
“Update on our moderator Daniela Rojo,” reads an Archipiélago Facebook post. “After several people showed up at the Guanabacoa police station asking for Daniela, we can confirm that she is officially MISSING. We hold the Cuban regime responsible for the life of Daniela Rojo.”
On November 4, Rojo was “warned” by the police of the “consequences” that would happen to her children if she participated in tomorrow’s protest.
"I want to clarify that they did not mistreat or threaten me, they only warned me to think of my children. A very subtle form of emotional blackmail that understandably would make any mother give in," Rojo said.
Two days earlier, the activist received other threats related to the N15 protests. On October 12, after an arbitrary arrest, she claimed that “Cuba is governed by a mafia” and was without a doubt “a dictatorship.”
