July 2025 marked a new peak of repression in Cuba. According to reported this Tuesday by the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH), at least 357 repressive actions were recorded during the month, including 68 arbitrary detentions and 289 forms of harassment such as police summonses, threats, surveillance of homes, and abuses against political prisoners.
The repression targeted activists, families of 11J prisoners, and members of civil society, especially on key dates such as July 4, when the United States Independence Day was celebrated at the residence of the diplomatic chief in Havana, and July 11, the anniversary of the historic protests of 2021.
Far from deterring, the repressive apparatus seems to have fueled discontent. The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC) documented simultaneously 845 protests across the country in July, of which 209 were direct confrontations with the political police.
For the second consecutive month, the threshold of 200 bold actions against the regime has been surpassed, reflecting the growing frustration of a population besieged by crisis and repression.
"In neighborhoods like Guanabacoa and El Diezmero, residents blocked streets and chanted slogans amid blackouts lasting up to 30 hours. The response was a presence of riot police and arrests," the OCC report states.
The electric crisis, the collapse of the healthcare system, the deterioration of food supplies, and an accumulated inflation of 77% since the Ordering Task contribute to the conditions for social unrest.
In July alone, 90 protests related to food shortages were reported, with reports of fainting from hunger in public and families needing over 90,000 pesos per month just to survive.
83 reports of citizen insecurity and 41 related to failures in the healthcare system were also recorded in a country where access to medicine and basic medical care has become a luxury.
The OCDH pointed out Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, and Granma as the provinces with the highest repression, although the OCC emphasizes that all provinces and the Isle of Youth were sites of protests, with Havana leading the list with 365 citizen actions.
A people that does not give up
Despite the increased police control and new laws that criminalize everything from social media postings to any public act of protest, the Cuban people continue to raise their voices.
The figures from July, both of repression and protests, confirm that the Cuban society is undergoing a moment of historical pressure, where fear is beginning to lose its grip in the face of the need for justice, dignity, and survival.
Frequently Asked Questions about Repression in Cuba in July 2025
How many repressive actions were recorded in Cuba in July 2025?
In July 2025, at least 357 repressive actions were recorded in Cuba, according to data from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights. This included 68 arbitrary arrests and 289 forms of harassment, such as police summonses, threats, and surveillance of homes.
Which provinces were the most affected by repression in Cuba during July 2025?
The provinces most affected by repression in July 2025 were Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, and Granma. However, the Cuban Conflict Observatory highlighted that all provinces and the Isle of Youth were the scene of protests.
What factors contributed to the increase in protests in Cuba in July 2025?
The increase in protests in Cuba in July 2025 was driven by a combination of electricity crisis, collapse of the healthcare system, food deterioration, and accumulated inflation of 77%. State repression and new laws criminalizing protests also contributed to citizen discontent.
How many protests were recorded in Cuba during July 2025?
In July 2025, the Cuban Conflict Observatory documented 845 protests across Cuba. Of these, 209 were direct confrontations with the political police, reflecting an increasing clash between citizens and the Cuban regime.
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