The Cuban regime began a trial on Tuesday against 16 citizens who participated in a peaceful protest in Bayamo on March 17, 2024, one of the largest demonstrations against the government recorded that year in the eastern region of the island.
The process takes place in the People's Municipal Court of Bayamo, in the province of Granma, and unfolds amid strong criticism for its political nature. According to judicial sources from the regime itself, the Prosecutor's Office charges the demonstrators with alleged crimes of "public disorder, assault, resistance, contempt, illegal carrying and possession of weapons, disobedience, and incitement to commit a crime".
Of the 16 accused, 13 remain in provisional detention and 3 are under non-custodial measures, with a prohibition on leaving the country. The trial is proceeding partially, currently involving 15 of the accused.
The events for which they are being judged occurred on March 17, 2024, when hundreds of residents of Bayamo took to the streets shouting “Freedom,” “Homeland and Life,” “Down with the dictatorship,” and other slogans, sang the national anthem, and demanded changes, food, and electricity. The repression was swift: agents from the Ministry of the Interior and special troops blocked streets, beat, and arrested protesters, as evidenced by numerous videos circulated on social media.
More than a year after that day, the trial takes place in a context marked by the rising social discontent and the intensification of state repression. Only in August 2024, the Cuban Conflict Observatory (OCC) documented 691 protests across the country, a figure that reflects the increase in expressions of dissatisfaction due to food shortages, blackouts, insecurity, healthcare collapse, and other structural failures of the system.
Cuban journalist José Raúl Gallego, for his part, described the official media publication about the trial of the Bayamo demonstrators as a message of intimidation in a tense atmosphere.
"They do it now to intimidate, because they know that the situation is causing new outbursts, like the one that occurred on the 13th in Gibara. It is a sign of how the official press is part of the mechanisms of repression against the citizens," he said.
"It is important to know the names of judges, prosecutors, and witnesses from the prosecution involved in these actions, so that they are recorded as violators of rights, since imprisoning a human being for exercising their right to protest is a violation for which they will have to answer at some point," he added in his post shared on social media.
The prosecutions for peaceful demonstrations are not an isolated incident. On May 24, 2025, protests were also recorded in Bayamo due to prolonged power outages and lack of basic services. More recently, on September 14, residents of Gibara protested after more than 24 hours without electricity and, just a few hours later, several protesters were detained in nighttime operations, contradicting the official narrative of “dialogue.”
Far from respecting the right to peaceful assembly, the Cuban authorities continue to use criminal proceedings and arbitrary detentions to punish dissent, in a pattern that has been repeated since 11J and the most recent protests. The trial in Bayamo is part of this repressive scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Repression and Trials of Protesters in Cuba
Why are the protesters from Bayamo being prosecuted?
The protesters in Bayamo are being prosecuted for participating in a peaceful demonstration on March 17, 2024. The Cuban regime is accusing them of crimes such as "public disorder, assault, resistance, contempt, illegal possession and carrying of weapons, disobedience, and incitement to commit a crime." These accusations are set against a backdrop of increasing repression against dissent in Cuba.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the protests?
The Cuban government has responded to the protests with repression and criminalization of the demonstrators. Additionally, it employs propaganda campaigns to project an image of calm and control. Despite peaceful demands for improvements in living conditions, the regime has chosen to harden its stance, imposing severe prison sentences and using violence to silence dissent.
What role do social media play in the protests in Cuba?
Social media is a key means of documenting and disseminating protests in Cuba. Despite the government's efforts to cut off internet access and control the narrative, citizens use these platforms to show the reality of repression and social discontent. The images and videos shared on social media are essential for highlighting the demands of the protesters and exposing the regime's response.
What factors are driving the protests in Cuba?
The protests in Cuba are driven by the economic crisis, prolonged blackouts, and the shortage of food and medicine. The population is rising up against the collapse of basic services, uncontrolled inflation, and the lack of effective responses from the government. Discontent has intensified with the increase in repression and restrictions on civil liberties.
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