Wife of the writer Jorge Fernández Era resigns from Uneac

The Cuban writer Laideliz Herrera Laza announced her resignation from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Uneac), after denouncing that the institution remains silent in the face of repression against intellectuals and becomes an accomplice in the harassment and violence suffered by her husband, also a writer, journalist, editor, and humorist Jorge Fernández Era.

In a letter addressed to the Narrative Section of Uneac and published on its Facebook profile, Herrera denounced that the organization serves as a cover for the repressive policies of the Cuban government through collective letters aimed at discrediting those who express themselves freely.

He recalled that his husband, former member of the organization, has been under an "illegal" process for over 30 months and that, when seeking legal support from Uneac, he received evasions and accusations, a clear indication that the institution "does not represent its affiliates" and remains aligned with State Security.

"The Uneac remains silent because it is complicit in government policy and the silencing of voices committed to truth and decency. By taking this stance, it echoes the impunity of the State Security's actions, which commit violent acts against humanity, such as the beating inflicted on Jorge last July 18 at the PNR unit in Zanja," he emphasized.

He also recalled that Fernández Era "is merely the closest example of what is happening with the country's intellectuals" who refuse to be coerced and defend their rights, "which are violated with complete impunity by State Security and the National Revolutionary Police with the consent of the Government, the Communist Party of Cuba, and institutions such as the Attorney General's Office."

The letter emphasized that the organization betrays its own statutes, which in theory proclaim the defense of creative freedom, criticism, and debate, but in practice submit to official censorship, benefiting only those who uphold the government’s narrative.

For Herrera, the attitude of the Uneac confirms its role as a cog in the state's political machinery, which “enforces silence” and pursues intellectuals who, through their works, social networks, or independent media, denounce the moral, social, and economic crisis that Cuba is currently facing.

"For reasons of principle and dignity, I submit my resignation as a member of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba," concluded Herrera, highlighting the institution's submission to the directives of the regime.

Fernández Era reported that on July 18 he was detained and beaten by a State Security officer in Havana, marking the latest episode of repression against him for political reasons.

"The images from today are not a disguise. A young lieutenant colonel of State Security, supposedly named Yoán, attacked me completely after I called him cynical and fascist, and he proved it abundantly," the writer stated along with images showing the beating he received.

Additionally, he reported in a Facebook post that the complaint he tried to file against his attackers at the police station in Diez de Octubre was not processed, as he was told it was a case of minor injuries, despite having “a certificate of injuries in hand, issued by the Miguel Enríquez hospital.”

"Nothing, the bruises on my face, ribs, and back are just collateral damage: someone should tell Lieutenant Colonel Yoán that next time he should make an effort and take out an eye," he ironized.

In April, agents of the State Security arrested the Cuban intellectual when he was about to carry out his usual civic protest in Central Park, an action he has repeated every 18th for the past two years.

The writer demands the end of the totalitarian regime in Cuba, respect for civil rights, and the cessation of violations of due process by the PNR, the Prosecutor's Office, and State Security.

The action, which is being mirrored in other parts of the country by individuals like Professor Alina Bárbara López Hernández in Matanzas, involves simply sitting in silence with signs and public messages, without violence or political affiliation.

Despite the peaceful nature of his actions, Fernández Era has been arrested several times and has been under house arrest for the past two years.

He has even reported that State Security promotes reprisals against his son in prison, in order to pressure him and force him to retract his critical and biting posts against the Cuban regime.

The repression against critical voices remains a constant in Cuba, where authorities criminalize peaceful protest and any form of public dissent.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Laideliz Herrera Laza's Resignation from Uneac and Repression in Cuba