The activist Avana de la Torre, known for her involvement in multiple protests against the Cuban regime in various parts of the world, experienced a tense situation at the Cuban Consulate in Madrid on January 28 when she attempted to request her consular deregistration.
De La Torre went to the consulate with the purpose of canceling a mandatory consular registration that had been made over 30 years ago for the management of administrative procedures.
At that time, she was required to provide detailed personal information, including data about her family members in Cuba and Spain, addresses, workplace, academic history, and phone number. She wanted to retrieve that file so that the regime would not continue using that information in state-controlled media.
On January 28, after informing the consulate's doorman of his intention to deregister, he was allowed entry upon presenting his passport. However, once his details were verified, he was instructed to wait outside the diplomatic office.
The activist remained on the street until she was attended to by a consul and several officials, who also came out of the diplomatic office.
Avana explains that she was given a document that supposedly contained the information the consulate had about her, but to her surprise, it was just a single sheet of paper summarizing over three decades of accumulated data.
The activist reported that Cuban consulates violate data protection laws by taking photographs of personal passports for intimidating and degrading purposes against those who express views contrary to the Cuban government.
While waiting to be seen by the consul, Spanish police officers arrived at the diplomatic mission. The officials explained that they had been called to respond to a potential incident, although they could not intervene directly in the situation. They requested that the matter be handled in a civilized manner, and it proceeded that way.
De La Torre requested her documentation, but the consul insisted that they only had a form with the application for the activist's last passport in their possession.
This episode highlights the difficulties and obstacles that many Cubans face when interacting with their country's diplomatic missions, where bureaucracy and lack of transparency often lead to controversy and tension for those seeking to detach themselves from their consular records.
Who is the activist Avana de la Torre?
Avana de la Torre is a Cuban activist exiled in Italy who has distinguished herself for her fight in defense of human rights and the freedom of political prisoners in Cuba. Her activism has led her to participate in numerous protests and denunciations against the Cuban regime, using various platforms to highlight the repression on the island.
In August 2024, she starred in a protest in Galicia, Spain, alongside activist Arianna Sierra Herrera, unfurling a flag at the family museum of Fidel Castro's father to denounce the situation of political prisoners in Cuba. During the event, she was confronted by a defender of the regime, to whom she responded by emphasizing her right to express herself freely in a democracy.
In addition to her international activism, Avana de la Torre has been a consistent voice on social media, highlighting the precariousness of the healthcare system in Cuba and the lack of attention to the most vulnerable populations.
Her work has been essential in amplifying the reports of repression, corruption, and human rights violations in Cuba, making her one of the most prominent voices of the Cuban exile community in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions about the situation of Avana de la Torre and the Consulate of Cuba in Madrid
What happened with Avana de la Torre at the Cuban Consulate in Madrid?
Avana de la Torre attempted to renounce her consular registration at the Cuban Consulate in Madrid, but faced bureaucratic obstacles and ended up being attended to in the street. The activist reported the violation of data protection laws by the consulate.
Why did Avana de la Torre want to unsubscribe from the Cuban consulate?
Avana de la Torre was seeking to cancel her consular registration to retrieve her file and prevent the Cuban regime from using her personal information for intimidating purposes. She reported that Cuban consulates violate data protection law by taking photographs of personal passports.
What actions has Avana de la Torre taken in her activism against the Cuban regime?
Avana de la Torre is known for her participation in international protests, such as the demonstration in Galicia where she displayed a flag at the museum house of Fidel Castro's father. Her activism focuses on the defense of human rights and freedom in Cuba, using various platforms to denounce repression on the island.
What difficulties do Cubans face when interacting with their country's diplomatic missions?
Cubans face bureaucracy and lack of transparency when interacting with their country's diplomatic missions. These obstacles are a source of controversy and tension, especially for those looking to disengage from their consular records.
What has been the response of the Spanish authorities regarding the Avana de la Torre case?
The Spanish police were called to the location during the incident at the consulate, but they explained that they could not intervene directly due to diplomatic jurisdiction. They requested that the case be handled in a civilized manner, which occurred without further incidents.
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