Ania Gómez Leiva, the mother of the Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau, was arrested after posting a video demanding her son's freedom.
“Ania Gómez Leiva has just been detained after posting a video demanding justice for her son Erlis Sierra, who was arrested during the protests in Baire,” reported on Facebook the independent Cuban journalist residing in Mexico, José Luis Tan Estrada.
The woman, in a message shared on the account of journalist Yosmany Mayeta, had described the circumstances of her son's arrest and called for help from the people of Cuba.
"I am the mother of the doctor Erlis Sierra Gómez. This morning, when we woke up, two agents from the PNR were at my home. They came to look for him without a summons, telling him that he had to report to the Contramaestre unit to talk with him, claiming that all they wanted was to have a conversation with him," the woman said in the video that led to her own detention
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 explained how she accompanied her son so that he could allegedly give a statement at the unit.
"Minutes later, a young man who knows him approached us; he is known here and in Contramaestre for what he is—a doctor who helps the community and saves lives. Because when there are no resources here, he sees 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 for help, I'm desperate," she exclaimed.
This Cuban mother addressed the First Secretary of the local Party, who knows "that her son didn't touch a pot, he just asked to speak."
The woman recounted that after her son's protest today, “fortunately the milk truck has arrived,” after the children had gone months without milk.
"I am desperate; I don’t know anything about him. My son did not touch a cauldron or harm anyone; he only asked for solutions for the people," the woman stated, clearly distressed.
Sierra, the son of Gómez Leiva, became one of the most visible faces of the peaceful protests in Baire after a video emerged 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 in Contramaestre have been among 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 that lasted over 30 hours. Shortly after, the regime cut off internet access and deployed police forces to stifle the demonstrations.
In addition to Sierra, Osmani Heredia and Humberto Nieto Sierra were also arrested; the latter is a nurse at the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital. Activists and residents of the municipality are denouncing a "witch hunt" against the demonstrators, with summonses, threats, and surveillance in the most active neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, on social media, the hashtag #FreeErlisSierra continues to gather 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 charges against Erlis Sierra.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Erlis Sierra and the Protests in Baire
Why was the Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau detained?
Erlis Sierra was arrested for participating in the peaceful protests in Baire, where he demanded that local authorities provide concrete solutions for the shortages of water, food, and other basic services. He was detained after an exchange with municipal leaders in which he defended his constitutional right to freedom of expression.
What happened to Erlis Sierra's mother, Ania Gómez Leiva?
Ania Gómez Leiva was arrested after posting a video demanding the release of her son, Erlis Sierra. In the video, she recounted the circumstances of her son's arrest and called for help from the Cuban people. Her detention reflects the repression that the Cuban regime exerts against those who raise their voices in defense of human rights.
What sparked the protests in Baire?
The protests in Baire were triggered by a blackout that lasted over 30 hours, along with the shortages of food and drinking water affecting the population of Santiago de Cuba. The demonstrators expressed their discontent with the government by shouting slogans such as "Freedom!" and "Down with Díaz-Canel!".
What actions did the Cuban regime take after the protests in Baire?
The Cuban regime responded to the protests in Baire with repression, including arrests, cutting off access to the Internet, and deploying police forces. Additionally, activists have reported a "witch hunt" against the demonstrators, with summons and threats in the most active neighborhoods.
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