Agents of the State Security and the Cuban police attempted to illegally intercept a car from the U.S. Embassy in Havana on the afternoon of July 2, carrying the journalist from Cubanet, Camila Acosta; and her partner, the writer Ángel Santiesteban, to attend the celebrations for the anniversary of U.S. independence.
In a video shared by Cubanet, an agent from State Security is seen talking to the driver's vehicle.
The mentioned media outlet claims that the officer threatened the driver, stating that he could not take Acosta and Santiesteban because they were allegedly detained.
Another police officer even tried to force the car's back door to pull out Acosta and Santiesteban, who had just gotten in, but he was unable to achieve his goal.
“These types of attacks on an embassy's vehicle violate diplomatic immunity agreements”, noted the independent media outlet while sharing the images on X.
The publication stirred a wave of outraged reactions from Cubans who strongly criticized the regime's actions and expressed their concern over the increase in repressive acts, even against diplomatic representations.
"What henchmen they are, man, how disgusting!" "What a macabre dictatorship!" "They are trying to intimidate the consul, playing with fire. Don't come crying later." "Keep playing with fire, because you are not untouchable." "How repulsive these people are!" "They should have allowed themselves to be confronted and provoke a diplomatic crisis with the consulate, to see if these tyrants finally get what they deserve," commented some internet users.
“How far will the regime's audacity go? Now even diplomatic vehicles are not safe from repressive paranoia. These kinds of provocations not only violate international norms, but also expose the desperation of a power apparatus that is increasingly losing control”; questioned another commentator.
“The government of the corrupt Díaz-Canel is playing with fire by ordering these provocative actions against embassy staff. @DHSgov @SecRubio must take these provocations seriously and respond firmly. Enough of repression and fear from #CubaEstadoTerrorista,” warned another.
Repressive campaign against opponents
The Cuban regime unleashed a wave of repression to prevent the participation of activists, journalists, and members of civil society in the reception organized by the Embassy of the United States in Havana, on the occasion of that country's Independence Day, celebrated this Wednesday.
According to a report by Martí Noticias, several opponents were arrested and others remained under surveillance or house arrest in a coordinated action by State Security to prevent their attendance at the diplomatic event.
Since the early hours of July 2, activists reported police operations and arbitrary restrictions in various parts of the country.
Among those arrested were the leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, ; and the dissenting rapper Osvaldo Navarro, who was intercepted in the Cerro municipality along with his partner, activist Marthadela Tamayo.
Doctor Oscar Elías Biscet and his wife Elsa Morejón were also prevented from leaving their home.
The surveillance was not limited to Havana. In Camajuaní, Villa Clara, the opponent Librado Linares reported an operation in his block and constant surveillance.
In Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos, brothers Bárbaro and Juan Alberto de la Nuez were threatened by the political police to prevent them from traveling to the capital.
In Pinar del Río, authorities prohibited Eduardo Díaz Fleitas and Nilda García Fleitas, the mother of a political prisoner, from traveling to Havana.
In the capital, independent journalist Yunia Figueredo and her husband, Frank Correa, were detained after refusing to attend a police interrogation.
The journalist Reynaldo Escobar from 14ymedio criticized the repression as a “disrespect” toward a country with which Cuba maintains diplomatic relations, and he recalled the historical participation of Cubans in the independence of the U.S.
In recent weeks, the Cuban government has accused the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. embassy, Mike Hammer, of interference, and has threatened to expel him for meeting with opposition figures, religious leaders, and other representatives of civil society.
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