The mother of Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau, who was arrested after raising his voice during the Baire protest, called for help from the people of Cuba.
The young man, a pediatrician and father of two children, was detained and taken to the police operations center in Santiago de Cuba, the woman reported in a message shared on the account of journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
"This is the mother of doctor Erlis Sierra Gómez speaking. This morning, upon waking up, two PNR agents arrived at my home. They came to look for him without a summons, telling him that he needed to present himself at the Contramaestre station to speak with them, claiming that all they wanted was to talk to him."
The woman recounted how she accompanied her son to supposedly give a statement at the unit.
"Minutes later, a young man approached us who knows him, who is known here and in Contramaestre for being who he is, a doctor who helps the community, saving lives. Because when there are no resources here, he treats them in his home," he said.
The boy alerted her that her son had been taken out the back door, handcuffed, along with another protester.
"I went crazy, I ask you to help me, I'm desperate," she exclaimed.
This Cuban mother addressed the First Secretary of the local Party, who knows "that her son did not strike the cauldron, he only asked for the floor."
The woman recounted that after her son's protest today, "fortunately the milk truck arrives," after the children had been without milk for months.
“I am desperate, I don’t know anything about him. My son didn’t touch a cauldron or assault anyone; he just asked for solutions for the people,” the visibly distressed woman declared.
Sierra became one of the most visible faces of the peaceful protests in Baire, after a video surfaced in which he demanded that local authorities address the shortages of water, food, and basic services, reminding them that the Cuban Constitution recognizes freedom of expression. “I am not afraid to go there, because here in the Constitution I have freedom of expression,” he said during his exchange with municipal leaders.
The protests in Baire, a municipality of Contramaestre have been some of the most significant in Santiago de Cuba since July 2021. During the night on Thursday, residents banged pots and shouted “Freedom!” and “Down with Díaz-Canel!” amid a blackout lasting over 30 hours. Shortly after, the regime cut off access to the internet and deployed police forces to suppress the protests.
In addition to Sierra, Osmani Heredia and Humberto Nieto Sierra were also arrested, the latter being a nurse at the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital. Activists and residents of the municipality are denouncing a "witch hunt" against the protesters, with summonses, threats, and surveillance in the most active neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, on social media, the hashtag #FreeErlisSierra continues to accumulate messages of support both inside and outside the island. Users and human rights organizations are demanding his immediate release and an end to the repression against those who peacefully protested in Baire.
So far, the Cuban authorities have not provided any official information regarding the whereabouts or the charges against Erlis Sierra.
Frequently Asked Questions about the detention of Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau
Why was the Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau arrested?
Erlis Sierra Yau was detained for his participation in the peaceful protests in Baire, where he demanded solutions to the shortages of water, food, and basic services. His detention is part of the repression exerted by the Cuban regime against the protesters who expressed their opposition to the government.
What was the regime's reaction to the protests in Baire?
The Cuban regime responded to the protests in Baire with repression, internet outages, and police surveillance. Police forces were deployed to suppress the demonstrations, and several participants were arrested, including Erlis Sierra Yau, Osmani Heredia, and Humberto Nieto Sierra.
How has the international community reacted to the detention of Erlis Sierra?
The international community and human rights organizations have expressed their support for Erlis Sierra by promoting the hashtag #FreeErlisSierra on social media. His immediate release and the cessation of repression against peaceful protesters in Baire are being demanded.
What demands did the protesters make in Baire?
The protesters in Baire demanded solutions to the shortages of water, food, and basic services. They also called for respect for freedom of expression, a right recognized by the Cuban Constitution but frequently violated by the regime.
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