The head of mission at the Embassy of the United States in Cuba, Mike Hammer, spoke this Wednesday with Doris Santiesteban, the wife of Ernesto Ricardo Medina —known as "Tico"— a member of the independent audiovisual project El 4Tico, to express Washington's support regarding the detention of her husband.
The Embassy posted the video of the call on its X account with the message: "We will continue to insist on respecting freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and releasing all those who are unjustly detained."
During the conversation, Doris confirmed that all legal actions taken on behalf of the detainees have failed. "Everything that has been applied has been denied. The change of precautionary measures, a complaint, all have been rejected," she said.
About the physical condition of her husband and Kamil Zayas Pérez —the other member of El 4Tico who is also in prison— Doris was straightforward: "Well, they are thin, they are skinny."
Hammer responded with a commitment to continue pushing for their release. "From the Embassy of the United States and Washington, we are also very concerned about them. We will keep insisting that they must be released, just like all political prisoners. But they haven't done anything, have they?" he stated, referring to the Cuban government's passivity on this issue.
Doris thanked the gesture: "I also thank you and the United States embassy for the support and solidarity."
Ernesto "Tico" and Kamil Zayas were arrested on February 6, 2026 during a State Security operation in Holguín that included a raid on their home and the confiscation of work equipment: cell phone, laptop, camera, tripod, router, and other devices.
Both face charges of "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit a crime," offenses that can carry up to eight years in prison.
On February 13, the Provincial Court of Holguín extended his provisional detention. Prosecutor Yamisel Hernández argued at the hearing that his videos "incite the people, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior to change the constitutional order."
They have been detained for over two months without a final sentence. The organization Prisoners Defenders classified them as political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, believing that their prosecution is based solely on the content of their messages.
Hammer ended the call with a direct message for the young prisoners: "Stay strong, keep your spirits up, and let Tico and Kamil know that we are always thinking of them."
According to Prisoners Defenders, Cuba had 1,214 political prisoners in March 2026, with 28 new cases recorded just in February of that year.
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