Berta Soler denounces the increase in repression against the Ladies in White

Berta Soler, leader of the Damas de Blanco, reported an increase in repression in Cuba during the month of March, marked by systematic harassment, constant surveillance, and violations of religious freedom against members of the opposition movement and other human rights activists.

"Continues the State Security Department violating our religious freedom, through harassment, siege, threats of imprisonment, and surveillance on the streets," denounced Soler to Martí Noticias. This is not the first time the activist has suffered such reprisals: Soler was arrested while heading to the first mass of the year, in an incident that highlighted the pattern of systematic harassment against female opposition figures.

The opposition leader asserted that, despite the repression, "we were able to have 53 Damas de Blanco come together to pray for our loved ones, for the freedom of all political prisoners, and for the suffering Cuban people."

"We go from Monday to Saturday, we make an effort... that's how we've been able to reach that number," he said.

Restrictions on religious practice have become a common tool of repression. According to previous reports, both suffered house arrest for 48 days, a measure that Cuban authorities have repeatedly used to prevent activists from participating in religious and public events.

In this context of increasing pressure, the Coordinator for Cuban Affairs at the State Department, Rob Allison, met in Havana with Berta Soler, in a visit that was interpreted as a gesture of international support for the Cuban opposition.

Data collected by human rights organizations confirms the severity of the situation. A recent report recorded 246 violations with 540 repressive incidents across 45 categories, highlighting the extent and systematic nature of the regime's actions against civil society.

Religious repression is not an isolated phenomenon. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights documented 873 violations of religious freedom in Cuba during 2025, a figure that highlights the magnitude of the problem and the urgency for a response from the international community.