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The Republican congressman Mario Díaz-Balart published a message of support for the Cuban activist and content creator Anna Bensi, whom he referred to as a 'heroine', one day after the young woman was charged and placed under house arrest by Cuban authorities.
'From the United States, we support you, Anna!', wrote Díaz-Balart on his X account, directly quoting a video that Anna Bensi herself had posted regarding the results of her summons on March 25.
Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, aged 21 and known on social media as Anna Bensi, went to Unit 27 of the Revolutionary National Police in Alamar, Havana, that day, where she was officially charged as a co-author of the offense classified under Article 393 of the Cuban Penal Code, which carries penalties of between 2 and 5 years in prison. Additionally, she was subjected to an extensive body search without the presence of her lawyer.
'They checked my hair, had to take off my hairstyle, my blouse, my pants, they touched my shoes to see if I had anything,' the young woman recounted after her citation. Following the process, she was placed under house arrest with a prohibition on leaving the country and traveling between provinces without permission.
The case originated on March 10, when Anna's mother, Caridad Silvente Laffita, recorded two agents from the Ministry of the Interior delivering an irregular summons at her home.
Anna posted the video on social media, and the authorities classified it as a violation of the agent's privacy. One of the officials was identified as Subofficer Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos, badge number 179542.
The organization Cubalex published a legal analysis on recording the police arguing that doing so while they carry out their duties is a constitutional right in Cuba, not a crime.
Despite the pressure, Anna Bensi publicly expressed her gratitude for the support received: "I am super grateful to everyone who came to stand by me and to those who have shown their support on social media. They are not only supporting my mom and me, but also a national cause: freedom."
The case has gained international press attention, with coverage from the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, and has generated condemnations from the U.S. Embassy in Havana, which demanded the regime to cease the threats and intimidation against the young woman and her mother.
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