Related videos:
The Cuban influencer Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known on social media as Anna Bensi, reported a new episode of harassment directed at her, amidst the intensified repression by the regime against critical voices and dissenters.
In a recent post on , Bensi shared that his mother, upon opening the door to their home, found a "curious little note" written by a supposed friend of a neighbor with an advertisement for massages.
"I don’t know what intentions this message will arrive at my door with so… mysteriously, but please, anyone who wants to tell me something or is interested in interacting with me should be transparent and direct. Come and introduce yourself IN PERSON," he emphasized.
The young woman added in the comments that the neighbor mentioned in the document is a man who lives alone and is very ill (he is an alcoholic).
"I have never interacted with him, and I don't understand which of his friends needs to talk to me. If anyone has something to say, it should be in person and direct," he emphasized.
Hundreds of followers and friends showed massive support and highlighted the evident intimidation intent of the dictatorship behind these actions.
One of them wrote: "When the dogs bark as you pass by, it’s because you’re walking on the right path, let them bark and keep your focus on what’s yours, you have millions of Cubans with you!" while another warned: "Don’t get into a fight, but do stay alert because these chivas will disguise themselves as priests just to instill fear."
A young man summarized the situation: "The only thing worse than a dictator is someone who defends him and takes pride in attacking a person's freedom of expression and liberty."
Systematic harassment
This latest incident adds to other harassment tactics that Bensi has reported in recent weeks. The influencer explained that for several days she has been receiving dozens of calls and messages asking her if she sells eggs.
"They have been sending me messages and calling me for days to see if I'm selling eggs. I don't know what strategy this is," she wrote, sharing screenshots of the numbers that repeatedly contacted her.
After returning some calls, he noticed irregularities, which strengthened his suspicions that his number had been shared without his consent in some group or platform. Bensi warned that he will continue to publicly expose each contact he receives as a measure of protection and transparency.
Journalist José Raúl Gallego confirmed that these tactics are well-known in Cuba and have been used against activists, opponents, and relatives of political prisoners, with the aim of generating avalanches of calls that disrupt the personal and work lives of those affected.
Other followers pointed out that these maneuvers could be used to fabricate causes or incidents that authorities may then exploit for reprisals, in a context where freedom of expression is continually stifled.
A critical voice amid blackouts and crises
The episode takes place a day after Bensi released her video "Ciegos a conveniencia", a direct critique of the comfortable silence and double standards in Cuba. In it, she questioned whether it is possible to thrive on the Island without silencing oneself in front of power, and denounced the high cost that artists, entrepreneurs, and creators who choose to dissent must pay.
The young woman has also reported the detention of creators from the independent project El 4tico and has paid public tributes to Kamil Zayas and Ernesto Ricardo Medina.
In addition, she has reported job pressures, internet outages, and surveillance in her neighborhood of Alamar, while facing instability at home, affected by the same power cuts and food shortages as her fellow countrymen.
At just 21 years old, Anna Bensi has become one of the most visible and critical young voices in Cuba, connecting with a generation marked by precariousness and the difficult dilemma of staying in the country or emigrating.
His final message in the post reinforces his stance on repression: demanding transparency and respect for his freedom, in a context where intimidation has become a daily practice against those who expose the reality of the country.
Filed under: