"Can't they even go to mass?": The U.S. denounces lack of freedoms in Cuba

The United States Embassy in Cuba publicly condemned this week what it termed a violation of religious freedom against the leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, following reports that authorities imposed a house arrest order on her.

In a post shared on their social media, the diplomatic mission informed: “A few days ago, we met with the iconic Lady in White, Berta Soler. There are recent reports that she has been placed under a precautionary measure of house arrest. When will this abuse stop?”.

In the same message, the Embassy questioned the restrictions that, according to reports, prevent Soler from attending Mass and reminded of what is established in the Cuban Constitution of 2019. "Are people not allowed to go to Mass, or is the Cuban Constitution of 2019 not respected, which states in Article 15 - 'The State recognizes, respects, and guarantees religious freedom'?" the text states. It also cites Article 57: "Everyone has the right to profess or not profess religious beliefs, to change them, and to practice the religion of their choice...".

This report is supported by information released by the opposition member Ángel Moya Acosta, who reported the arrest of the activist on February 4. In his post, Moya stated: "There were no repressors in sight, but Berta Soler was arrested." According to his testimony, Soler was intercepted in Vedado and detained by the Police, and then taken to the PNR Unit of Aguilera.

Moya detailed that during the interrogation, an officer identified as "the TTeCo. 'Felo'," who claims to be the head of confrontation for State Security against the Ladies in White, was present, and assured that he threatened her with sending her to prison. She also mentioned that in the same space where she was interrogated, "the four walls" were "deliberately decorated with photos of Raúl and Fidel Castro."

Berta Soler is the leader of the Ladies in White and the recipient of the Lech Walesa Solidarity Prize and the Sakharov Prize, international accolades for her activism in defense of human rights in Cuba.

The reports arise in a context of repeated complaints from activists and organizations regarding restrictions on religious freedom and movement on the island, particularly against members of the Ladies in White, who have reported detentions and surveillance around their headquarters in Lawton, Havana.