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Ania Gómez Leiva, the mother of Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra Yau, was released this Saturday after being detained for several hours due to posting a video demanding the freedom of her son.
“Ania Gomez Leyva, mother of pediatrician Erlis Sierra, has been released. She was interrogated regarding the video we exclusively uploaded on our page. She is now home and steadfast for her son,” reported journalist Yosmany Mayeta on Facebook.
Mayeta and other independent journalists had specifically confirmed the arrest of this mother following the protests in Baire on Thursday.
The woman, in the message shared on Mayeta's account, had detailed 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 got up, two agents from the PNR arrived at my home. They came to take him without a summons, telling him that he had to report to the Contramaestre unit to have a conversation, stating that all they wanted was to talk to him," said the woman in the video that led to her own detention.
The young pediatrician and father of two was detained and taken to the police operations center in Santiago de Cuba. The woman recounted how she accompanied her son, so that he could allegedly be questioned at the unit.
"Minutes later, a young man who knows him approaches us, someone who knows him here and knows him 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 recounted.
The boy alerted her that her son had been taken out through the back door, handcuffed, alongside another protester.
“I went a little crazy, I’m asking for help, I’m desperate,” she exclaimed.
This Cuban mother addressed the First Secretary of the local Party, who knows "that her son did not make any noise, he only asked to speak."
The woman recounted that after her son's protest today, “fortunately the milk truck arrives,” after the children went months without milk.
"I am desperate, I haven't heard anything from him. My son didn't touch a cauldron or harm anyone; he just asked for solutions for the people," the woman declared, visibly distressed.
Sierra, the son of Gómez Leiva, became one of the most recognizable faces of the peaceful protests in Baire, after a video went viral 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 conversation 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 on 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 suppress the demonstrations.
In addition to Sierra, Osmani Heredia and Humberto Nieto Sierra were also detained, the latter being a nurse at the Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital. Activists and residents of the municipality are reporting a "witch hunt" against the protesters, involving 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, Cuban authorities have not provided official information regarding the whereabouts or charges against Erlis Sierra.
Frequently Asked Questions about the detention and release of Ania Gómez Leiva and the protests in Baire
Why was Ania Gómez Leiva detained?
Ania Gómez Leiva was detained for posting a video demanding the release of her son, Cuban doctor Erlis Sierra, who had been arrested after participating in the protests in Baire. In the video, Ania denounced the circumstances of her son's arrest and appealed for help from the people of Cuba.
What is the reason for Erlis Sierra's arrest?
Erlis Sierra, a pediatrician and father of two children, was arrested for participating in peaceful protests in Baire, where he demanded that local authorities address the shortages of water, food, and basic services. In a video, Sierra recalled that the Cuban Constitution recognizes freedom of expression, making him one of the most visible faces of the demonstrations.
What happened during the protests in Baire?
The protests in Baire were significant, with residents banging pots and shouting slogans like "Freedom!" and "Down with Díaz-Canel!" amid a blackout that lasted over 30 hours. The Cuban regime responded by cutting off internet access and deploying police forces to suppress the demonstrations.
What measures has the Cuban regime taken following the protests in Baire?
After the protests in Baire, the Cuban regime unleashed a wave of repression that included the arrest of several demonstrators, among them Erlis Sierra, Osmani Heredia, and Humberto Nieto Sierra. Activists and residents reported a "witch hunt" against the protesters, with threats and surveillance in the most active neighborhoods.
What has been the international community's reaction to the situation in Baire?
The international community has reacted with concern, demanding the immediate release of Erlis Sierra and an end to the repression against those who peacefully protested. The hashtag #FreeErlisSierra has garnered numerous supportive messages both on the island and abroad, with users and human rights organizations calling for an end to the repression.
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