Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín, the 71-year-old man who was the victim of a violent arrest on Tuesday on Monte Street in Havana, was holding a sign that read "Down with the dictatorship."
A video shared on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta captured the moment when the elderly man waved the banner and shouted the slogan, until he was violently subdued by an agent in plain clothes who, after dragging him to the patrol car, struggled significantly to get him into the vehicle because the elderly man resisted strongly.
As seen in previous images, immediately dozens of witnesses demanded that the elderly man not be mistreated or beaten.
The images now circulated confirm that the elderly man's resistance to arrest was such that police officers and plainclothes agents even tried to put him into the car horizontally, as if lying down, because they were unable to subdue him.
In the video, the enormous frustration and anger of the witnesses can be heard, who did not hold back their shouts like: "Abusers"; "And then they don't want it filmed and uploaded"; "Let him be, he's just fighting" or "There is hunger!".
Cedeño Negrín, who has a history as an opponent of the regime - particularly as an independent journalist - had reported on several occasions the harassment from the police and State Security against him, who is currently selling candies as his only means of survival amidst the deep economic crisis facing the country, according to CubaNet in a video shared on Facebook.
The incident led to an increased police presence in the area, with more officers and inspectors patrolling, which intensified the pressure on other street vendors who protested the arrest of Cedeño, the aforementioned outlet emphasized.
This case adds to a series of operations against informal work in Cuba, a practice that has become increasingly common due to economic hardship and a lack of job opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrest of Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín and the Situation in Cuba
Why was Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín arrested in Havana?
Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín was arrested for carrying a banner that said "Down with the dictatorship" and shouting slogans against the government. This act occurred amidst an increasing repression against informal work and the expression of discontent in Cuba.
What reaction did Cedeño's arrest generate among the witnesses?
The arrest sparked a strong reaction of indignation among the witnesses, who shouted phrases like "Abusers" and "Leave him alone, he's just fighting." The increased police presence in the area intensified tensions with other street vendors.
What is the economic context affecting street vendors like Cedeño in Cuba?
The deep economic crisis in Cuba has forced many to turn to informal work to survive. The lack of job opportunities and economic instability have made street vending one of the few options for earning income.
How has the Cuban government responded to the economic crisis and the rise of informal work?
The Cuban government has intensified operations against informal work, with measures such as seizures and fines, but these actions have been criticized for not addressing the structural causes of the economic crisis.
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