The activist Yamilka Lafita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, reported on Thursday a new escalation in the harassment she has been enduring, after the intercom at her home was vandalized and a State Security agent directly threatened her if she did not comply with a summons lacking clear grounds.
The case has generated expressions of support within the Cuban activism community and has been linked by other opposition women to a systematic campaign of intimidation by the regime against critical voices.
“They want us to leave”, Crofs reported. “The message again makes me feel unsafe in my own home”.
The attack on the goalkeeper left Crofs without the visibility to identify who is at his doorstep, which he considers a serious breach of his security, in a context where he has already been subjected to harassment.
Although there are at least eight similar goalkeepers in his area, only his was destroyed. "I am blind," she wrote.
The activist also reported that days earlier she was confronted by an unknown man who insulted and threatened her near a garbage container. Additionally, there have been individuals on unregistered motorcycles following her and suspicious rounds near her home, which she interprets as an attempt to isolate her from her surroundings and intimidate her.
“For the first time since 2018, I have felt fear,” she confessed. “I’m not going to give them that, but I am afraid.”
This Thursday morning, the situation escalated even further. A man shouted in front of her house demanding to speak with her. Crofs asked for an explanation regarding the reason for the summons, but received no clear answer. Instead, he was given a disturbing warning:
"If you don't go, you'll know what the consequences are", stated the alleged official, according to the activist's testimony.
The woman refused to leave, stating that she was alone, that her home had been attacked hours earlier, and that she feared for her safety. She also claimed that the summons was not presented in writing and lacked a specific legal reason.
Solidarity among women activists: the testimony of Dayana Prieto
In parallel, the activist Dayana Prieto, who resides in Spain, publicly recalled that she was also a victim of assaults by regime supporters, in her case with direct attacks on her home.
“I was also pelted with eggs at my home in Cuba. The decapitated pigeons they left at my door are still etched in my memory”, she wrote.
Prieto expressed his support for Avana De La Torre, another activist recently confronted during a tour in Spain, and stated that if he had been present, he would have physically supported her.
“My sisterhood is always there for those who want it, with Avana and with all the women who are being attacked,” she added. She also accused the regime of “fascism” and of covering up the repression with “cheap propaganda tricks.”
Holds the Cuban state accountable
Lara Crofs directly held the State Security and the Cuban government responsible for any harm that might come to her or her family. She also mentioned her partner, Daniela Peral, as a target of threats.
“I am not leaving Cuba, and I will not remain silent either. The people have the right to freedom,” he stated.
He concluded his statement with a quote from the dissident Oswaldo Payá: "Change in Cuba is not an option but a necessity. The dictatorship will fall because the people have the right to freedom."
Crofs has repeatedly reported acts of repression, harassment, and threats from the authorities, causing discomfort in the Cuban government.
Their activism has focused on supporting vulnerable individuals on the island, organizing aid campaigns and raising awareness of cases of extreme need.
However, this effort has been hindered by actions such as arbitrary arrests, constant surveillance, and death threats.
On one occasion, she reported that State Security agents detained her and threatened her to leave the country.
Moreover, she has been the victim of cyber attacks; her social media accounts were hacked, and she accused ETECSA of complicity in these acts, stating that they aim to silence her critical voice.
Despite these adversities, Lara Crofs has expressed her determination to continue her work for a free and just Cuba.
Your case exemplifies the risks that activists face in Cuba and the government's persistence in suppressing dissenting voices.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Repression and Threats to Activists in Cuba
Who is Lara Crofs and why is she being harassed in Cuba?
Lara Crofs, whose real name is Yamilka Lafita, is a Cuban activist known for her humanitarian work and her critical stance against the Cuban regime. She has been subjected to harassment and repression by the Cuban government due to her activism, which includes organizing aid campaigns and denouncing human rights violations on the island. Over the years, she has faced threats, surveillance, and hacks of her social media accounts.
What kind of harassment has Lara Crofs experienced?
Lara Crofs has reported numerous acts of harassment, including vandalism at her home, death threats, and police surveillance to prevent her from leaving her house. Furthermore, she has been a victim of hacks on her social media accounts, which she attributes to an attempt by the regime to silence her reports. These acts aim to intimidate her and obstruct her activism in favor of human rights and freedoms in Cuba.
How does the international community react to the repression in Cuba?
The international community has demonstrated solidarity and support for Cuban activists facing repression, although the response varies among governments and organizations. Some entities and countries have condemned the actions of the Cuban regime, while activists and human rights defenders abroad have amplified the denunciations through social media and international media, in an attempt to pressure the Cuban government and bring visibility to the situation on the island.
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