The young content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente reported that the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) cut off her internet connection to silence her posts and limit the reach of her message on social media.
"On October 16, the problems with my connection began. I couldn't receive calls or messages, nor could I connect to the internet. It wasn't an issue with my phone because I checked it," stated Benítez Silvente, who refused to hand over his device when asked to leave it "for inspection" at an ETECSA office.
"To receive an answer, I had to hand over my phone. I didn't hand it over. Right now I have internet, but I want to say that I will report any retaliation against me. I stand by everything I've said. I remain firm in my beliefs," the young woman stated in a story posted on her Facebook profile.
Benítez Silvente went viral with a series of videos where he dismantles the government slogan "that university degree is thanks to the Revolution." With calmness and clarity, he recounted the family sacrifices made to pursue his studies and challenged the false narrative of free education in Cuba, noting that all costs fall onto the families of the students.
Her testimony sparked a wave of citizen support, but also reactions from the state apparatus. The young woman reported that she was summoned and threatened following her public statements.
Despite the harassment and attempts at censorship, Anna Sofía stands firm: "I am not leaving the country. I want to stay and keep speaking out. I want a country where studying and working is worth it."
Your case is not isolated. Other Cuban activists have experienced unexplained internet service cuts when making impactful statements against the regime. This highlights the use of technological control as a tool of repression against young people who speak out in Cuba.
Filed under:
