State Security and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) launched a surveillance operation early this Tuesday in front of the national headquarters of the Damas de Blanco in Lawton, Havana, coinciding with the day of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba.
Ángel Moya Acosta, an opposition member and husband of Berta Soler, the leader of the movement, reported the operation on his Facebook account and posted photographs showing two PNR patrol cars — units 075 and 744 — parked nearby, alongside uniformed officers.
"Today, September 8, 2026, the Day of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, a combined operation of State Security and the Revolutionary Police has been visibly monitoring the national headquarters of the Ladies in White located in Lawton-Havana since early hours," wrote Moya.
Surveillance had begun at least since Monday, when agents were also stationed in front of the headquarters of the opposition movement.
On that day, Soler was intercepted in a public place by State Security agents and forced to return to her home, according to activists' reports.
The opposition figure herself confirmed the events. According to the EFE agency, quoted by Swissinfo, Soler explained that when she tried to go out to carry out her "usual errands," an officer ordered her to return home to avoid being detained.
The new blockade adds to other incidents reported by Soler and Moya during 2026.
On May 9, both were detained in separate patrols in the Diez de Octubre municipality to prevent them from attending Mass. In July, during the anniversary of the 11J protests, Soler again reported police surveillance against members of the movement and their headquarters.
The Ladies in White emerged in 2003, following the so-called "Black Spring," when the Cuban regime imprisoned 75 opponents, independent journalists, and activists. In 2005, the European Parliament awarded the movement the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
The operation this Tuesday takes on special significance as it coincides with September 8, a day when both inside and outside of Cuba, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre is celebrated.
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