Independent civil society activists in Cuba are preparing to file a legal collective lawsuit against the Spanish national Ana Hurtado Martínez, a known supporter of the Cuban dictatorship and provocateur who engages in defaming and denigrating those who oppose the regime.
The initiative, led by opposition activist Avana de la Torre against the Cuban regime, calls on those who have been victims of defamation, slander, or the disclosure of personal information by Hurtado Martínez to submit their testimonies and evidence within a month.
"We will be filing a joint complaint for defamation, disclosure of data, offenses against honor, insults, and slander," De la Torre stated in a live broadcast on his social media, where he confirmed that he had notarized the necessary documentation to support the case.
The call to file the class action lawsuit comes after a recent court victory against Hurtado Martínez, who was sentenced in Spain to pay 10,000 euros in moral damages to Cuban activist and doctor Lucio Enríquez Nodarse for defamation.
More victims and a persistent hate speech
In his statement, De la Torre explained that the lawsuit is based on the harm caused by the hate speech and media lynching promoted by Hurtado Martínez on platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
According to the activist, many of the victims have faced serious defamations, including the disclosure of personal data protected by law.
"We have received an avalanche of messages, screenshots, and testimonies that demonstrate slander, defamation, and, most seriously, the revelation of personal data, which is severely punished in Spain," explained De la Torre.
Among the potential "evidence" collected, the publication of private information stands out, such as addresses and identity documents of certain individuals. These acts constitute a crime under Spanish law.
The activist noted that, so far, the process involves the participation of seven main complainants, all of whom are residents in Europe, and mentioned that the lawsuit will be expanded as more evidence is gathered.
"This is not just about us; there are many Cubans, both on and off the Island, who have been victims of this hate campaign," he added.
Context of Ana Hurtado's case
Ana Hurtado, a Spanish journalist and outspoken defender of the Cuban regime, has been embroiled in multiple controversies due to her verbal attacks against opposition figures to the Cuban government.
In the case of Enríquez Nodarse, the Spanish justice system concluded that Hurtado had committed an "illegitimate intrusion into the right to honor" of the exiled Cuban doctor.
In his remarks, De la Torre recalled a key moment: during the trial in Albacete against Hurtado on October 1, he approached the journalist's lawyer to warn him that "this will not be the only complaint."
According to the activist, the ongoing class-action lawsuit aims to ensure that Hurtado is held accountable for years of actions that she describes as "media terrorism."
An unprecedented effort
De la Torre's initiative represents a coordinated effort by Cuban civil society to hold a prominent figure of the regime accountable.
Through lawyers and procurators, the victims seek justice and compensation for the damages caused. De la Torre emphasized: "We will go, as my dear friend Lucio says, without mercy and all the way to the end."
This process also highlights the use of international legal resources as a tool to confront defamation campaigns and systematic attacks by figures allied with the Cuban regime, emphasizing the importance of documenting and denouncing these practices.
With the slogan “Homeland, life, and freedom,” De la Torre reaffirmed the commitment of victims and activists to advance this collective demand that, if successful, could set a precedent in the fight against misinformation and hate speech promoted by allies of the regime abroad.
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