The Catholic activist Dagoberto Valdés Hernández, founder of the Convivencia Studies Center (CEC), was interrogated on Wednesday by State Security in Pinar del Río.
The CEC reported on Facebook that the activist was once again a victim of harassment by Cuba's political police.
The report specifies that Valdés attended the headquarters of the SE in Pinar del Río on Wednesday at 9:00 am, as outlined in the summons that was delivered the day before.
His identity card was taken away, and the two companions were removed, the statement noted. "He waited in reception for more than five hours, with the interrogation starting around 2:40 PM."
Major Lázaro from the SE began the interrogation by asking for personal details to complete the "warning record" that he had printed.
"The aim was to warn him about the possibility of committing six offenses outlined in the current Penal Code," the publication states, mentioning among them incitement to violence, conspiracy, destabilization of international peace, and violation of constitutional provisions.
Additionally, Valdés was warned that there was nothing to celebrate on July 11 and 12, as the protests of 2021 were deemed violent acts.
The statement published by the organization specifies that Major Ernesto, the officer in charge of the CEC, joined the interrogation and reaffirmed the warning given to the Catholic leader on June 24 not to leave or participate in activities on July 11 and 12.
The publication reported that the leader "strongly rejected the possibility of committing the mentioned offenses or any others, as well as signing that document."
Valdés was also threatened by both officials, who warned him not to let himself be "influenced by people and organizations, both inside and outside of Cuba, that seek to involve him in orchestrating acts against the government," as happened last May when they were intercepted on the road by the police.
Both members of the SE argued that they were aware of "their involvement in the reception for the Fourth of July, a government that has been a historical enemy of Cuba, with this event being a gathering point for individuals financed by the enemy to destabilize our country."
The interrogation lasted an hour and a half, and in total, Valdés had to remain over seven hours at the SE headquarters in Pinar del Río, which is another act of intimidation against the religious activist.
However, the director of CEC inquired about the reasons for the delay and was informed that "the instructor was engaged in other activities."
The CEC reported on Facebook that last Tuesday, Valdés was summoned by the police, and when he inquired about the reasons, he was informed that an officer from the SE would explain it to him. He was also warned that "if I did not appear, I would be in contempt."
The organization also reported that Valdés was visited by Major Ernesto on Monday, June 24, 2024, to warn him not to go out on July 11 and 12. On Wednesday, July 3, the same officer called him to say he had been to his house and found no one there, indicating that the activist has been subjected to ongoing harassment and threats by the SE.
Due to his political opposition to the Cuban authoritarian regime and his intellectual and social work, Dagoberto Valdés, a resident of the western city of Pinar del Río, constantly endures harassment from State Security, including arbitrary detentions and official marginalization, the news site noted.
As part of this harassment by the regime, the Catholic activist has previously been questioned by the political police.
In 2023, for example, Valdés was summoned by the SE of Pinar del Río for an interrogation.
"I was told this was a formal warning because the Danish journalist Øjvind Kyrø, who interviewed me over 15 years ago for Vitral and who visited my home two months ago, was organizing sessions with 16 people to learn more about Cuba," explained the activist after leaving the police station.
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