The Cuban political prisoner Ángel Moya Acosta publicly denounced this Sunday the presence of two State Security agents monitoring the headquarters of the opposition movement Damas de Blanco in the neighborhood of Lawton, Havana.
Moya, who along with his wife Berta Soler Fernández —the leader of the movement— remained confined in their home on Sunday, identified the agents as members of a repressive group commonly known as the "Metetrancas", tasked with carrying out violent arrests against peaceful opponents.
One of the men identified by Moya is said to be a repressor nicknamed "Cara Prieta," who is linked to past acts of repression against activists.
"About five or six years ago, this individual violently arrested me during a Sunday march of the Ladies in White. To silence my protest, he covered my mouth and bit my right ear," he reported.
Moya also stated that he recently recognized him in photographs taken during a surveillance operation against a Masonic lodge on Carlos III Avenue in Havana, amidst the expulsion of a Masonic leader, an event he attributes to the regime's control over those institutions.
In his message, Moya emphasized that neither he nor Berta Soler went out this Sunday from the movement's headquarters to exercise their right to protest or to participate in religious activities, as they usually do every week.
“Today we are not going out, but we continue to denounce the repression and demand the freedom of all Cuban political prisoners,” he declared.
House arrest after contact with diplomats
In April, Moya and Soler were placed under house arrest for 48 days after participating in a mass alongside the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana, Mike Hammer.
"We were stopped in the middle of the public street; they told us we were under investigation for attempting to disrupt the established constitutional order," Moya then noted. Both were taken to police stations, where they were held for over 24 hours before being released under precautionary measures.
During that period, their phones were occupied and the organization's headquarters remained without Internet access, completely besieged by regime agents.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Repression Against the Ladies in White in Cuba
Who are the "Metetrancas" mentioned by Ángel Moya?
The "Metetrancas" are a repressive group of agents from the Cuban State Security, known for carrying out violent arrests against peaceful opponents on the island. This group has been noted for conducting arbitrary detentions and acts of repression against dissident figures, such as the Ladies in White.
Why were Ángel Moya and Berta Soler placed under house arrest?
Ángel Moya and Berta Soler were placed under house arrest after attending a mass with the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana, Mike Hammer. Cuban authorities are investigating them for allegedly undermining the constitutional order by meeting with foreign officials.
What is the role of the Damas de Blanco in the Cuban opposition?
The Ladies in White are an opposition movement in Cuba that emerged in 2003 following the repressive wave of the Black Spring. This group is known for holding peaceful marches demanding the release of political prisoners after attending mass dressed in white. Over the years, they have faced constant repression from the Cuban regime.
How does the international community respond to repression in Cuba?
The international community, especially human rights organizations and the United States Embassy in Cuba, has expressed concern over the repression against opponents such as the Ladies in White. Diplomatic support is reflected in symbolic gestures, such as the participation of diplomats in religious activities alongside dissidents to show support for their peaceful activism.
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