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The Cuban regime accused members of the Center for Convivial Studies (CEC) of "terrorism" following a recent meeting between its director, Dagoberto Valdés Hernández, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer.
The accusation was made during an interrogation conducted by State Security in Pinar del Río, where Valdés and his collaborator Yoandy Izquierdo Toledo were briefly detained this Friday.
According to a statement from the CEC, the arrest was carried out without a warrant or any prior explanation. Agents identified as Major Ernesto and Major Manuel from State Security arrived at Valdés's home accompanied by a patrol from the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) and demanded that he leave his house and accompany them, without the right to make calls.
During the interrogation, a legal officer from the repressive apparatus accused the academic of "collaborating with a foreign power that threatens to invade Cuba," referring to the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has not ruled out additional pressure measures on the Havana regime in the context of the regional transition encouraged by Washington following the fall of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
The agents warned Valdés that they would not allow contact between American diplomats and figures from civil society, and instructed him to refrain from attending future activities organized by the U.S. Embassy. After more than two hours of interrogation, they issued him a warning notice that he refused to sign.
The CEC —a Catholic institution dedicated to promoting civic and ethical thinking— condemned the incident as a new example of state harassment.
In parallel, the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Press and Expression (ICLEP) noted that Valdés has been the target of threats, defamation campaigns, and restrictions on his mobility due to his ideas and writings, in which he advocates for a peaceful change in Cuba.
The episode takes place amid a growing offensive by the regime against religious leaders and Catholic activists.
In the past few hours, the priests Alberto Reyes Pías and Castor José Álvarez Devesa were also summoned by State Security and subjected to warning acts for their criticism of the system. Both confirmed that they will not waver in their commitment to the truth and the dignity of the Cuban people.
The repression against Christian and civic voices underscores the tightening of political control in a country exhausted by the economic crisis, blackouts, and widespread shortages. Instead of dialogue, the regime responds with threats and arrests to those who, from faith or civil society, advocate for a free and reconciled Cuba.
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