The leader of the opposition movement Damas de Blanco, Berta Soler Fernández, and former political prisoner Ángel Moya Acosta were detained this Thursday around 2:00 p.m. in the La Virgen del Camino area of Havana.
According to a report on Facebook by the feminist platform Alas Tensas, citing activist María Cristina Labrada, the whereabouts of both individuals are unknown, a situation that has raised concerns among activists and human rights organizations that have closely monitored their ongoing harassment.
Berta Soler, founder and visible face of the Ladies in White, has been a victim of arbitrary detentions and systematic police violence since the movement's inception in 2003, following the repressive wave known as the Black Spring, the feminist platform reported.
Her activism has focused on demanding freedom for political prisoners in Cuba, which has made her a target of surveillance, beatings, and weekly arrests, especially on Sundays after attending Mass.
Ángel Moya Acosta, husband of Berta Soler, was one of the dissidents sentenced during the Black Spring. He was released in 2011 after years in prison and has since remained active in the peaceful opposition.
Both are emblematic figures of Cuban dissent and have repeatedly denounced the systematic repression of the regime against those who defend civil liberties.
The Ladies in White received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2005, awarded by the European Parliament, in recognition of their work for human rights, recalled Alas Tensas.
However, nearly two decades after its founding, its members continue to be arrested, beaten, and fined each week for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The case of Berta Soler and Ángel Moya is not an isolated incident. It is part of a sustained strategy by the Cuban regime to silence opposition leaders, prevent their visibility, and cut off any form of civic mobilization, particularly in contexts of growing social discontent.
In February, State Security agents and the police arrested several Cuban dissidents in Havana as they were heading to the funeral of the Dama de Blanco and former political prisoner Yolanda Santana Ayala, who passed away from respiratory failure.
Berta Soler Hernández, leader of the Damas de Blanco; Marieta Martínez and María Mercedes Benítez, members of that opposition movement, and Ángel Moya Acosta, political prisoner, were on their way to the funeral home located in La Palma, in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality, to say their final goodbyes to Santana, when they were intercepted by the regime's repressive forces, around 10:30 in the morning.
The harassment against Soler and Moya is not an isolated case. Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita Cancio, known as Lara Crofs on social media, denounced this Wednesday that she has received death threats to prevent her from leaving her home in Havana.
Lafita shared on Facebook screenshots of intimidating messages sent from an official account with an overtly violent tone.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Berta Soler and Ángel Moya in Cuba
What happened to Berta Soler and Ángel Moya?
Berta Soler and Ángel Moya were detained by the Cuban regime in Havana, and their whereabouts are currently unknown. The detention of these prominent figures of the Cuban dissidence has raised concerns among activists and human rights organizations.
Why is Berta Soler an important figure in the Cuban opposition?
Berta Soler is the leader of the opposition movement Ladies in White, founded in 2003, which advocates for the freedom of political prisoners in Cuba. She has been a victim of arbitrary detentions and police violence due to her activism. Her work has been recognized internationally, receiving the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2005.
What is the context of repression against the Ladies in White in Cuba?
The Ladies in White face systematic repression from the Cuban regime, including arrests and violence, especially after attending mass on Sundays. Despite their international recognition, the regime continues its strategy of silencing opponents and preventing civic mobilization.
What actions has the international community taken regarding the situation in Cuba?
The international community has expressed its concern over the repression in Cuba. Organizations such as Amnesty International have declared several Cuban activists to be prisoners of conscience, and diplomatic figures, such as the head of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, have shown their support for Cuban opponents.
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