By Gelet Frangela
Cuban State Security and the Police deployed a surveillance operation and movement restrictions against independent journalists, activists and members of civil society on Friday, with the aim of preventing their attendance at an event organized by the United States Embassy in Havana.
The Center for Coexistence Studies (CEC) reported that on Thursday, a State Security officer identified as Major John appeared at the home of its director, Dagoberto Valdés Hernández, in Pinar del Río, to inform him that the members of the project were prohibited from attending the “American Nights” activity, organized by the US diplomatic headquarters.
The officer threatened Valdés Hernández: “We’re telling you this in advance so you don’t have a bad night.” The prohibition was communicated directly to Valdés and the other members of Convivencia.
Major John’s actions also come after other episodes of harassment against the CEC this year. In April, the same agent participated in interrogations of Valdés and Yoandy Izquierdo, and in May he informed members of the project of travel restrictions to Havana.
Independent journalist Camila Acosta also reported on Friday that she remains under siege in her home by agents of the political police. According to her Facebook post, she received no explanation and was only given the usual prohibition: “You cannot leave today.” Acosta indicated that the objective of the operation is to prevent her from attending a cultural event at the U.S. Embassy.
Yoani Sánchez, director of the independent newspaper 14ymedio, and her husband, journalist and editor Reinaldo Escobar, also reported that they woke up under surveillance this Friday. Sánchez stated that there was a police presence at the entrance to the building where the couple lives in Havana.
The journalist questioned the deployment of police resources against both of them: “How is it possible that resources are being spent on two peaceful people, who work with words, information and reality, while there are mountains of waste?” she wrote.
The operation has also targeted other members of civil society. Martí Noticias reported on Thursday that several activists and independent journalists were threatened with criminal charges or subjected to house arrest to prevent their participation in “American Nights.” Among the documented cases is that of activist Adelth Bonne, who reported that an officer identified as “Rodrigo” ordered him to remain in his home until Saturday morning to prevent him from attending the event.
A pattern that is repeated with the events at the US Embassy
Friday’s deployment is not an isolated incident. In July 2016, Cuban authorities carried out a similar operation to prevent journalists, activists, and opposition members from attending a reception organized by the U.S. Embassy in Havana to commemorate U.S. Independence Day.
ICLEP documented surveillance, house closures, and arbitrary arrests of at least nine people in Havana and Camagüey, including journalists, activists, a writer, and their family members. According to the organization, these actions were intended to prevent them from attending the diplomatic reception.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), in its annual report on freedom of expression, also documented complaints from July 2025 regarding attempts by the Cuban regime to prevent activists and human rights defenders from participating in the July 4th commemoration at the U.S. Embassy. According to the report, some individuals were intercepted en route to the event, while others were kept under surveillance outside their homes and prohibited from leaving.
The pattern was repeated in July 2025, when several independent journalists, opposition figures, and activists were detained or subjected to surveillance and movement restrictions to prevent them from attending the reception for the United States’ Independence Day.
Among those affected on that occasion were Camila Acosta herself, Yoani Sánchez, Berta Soler, Óscar Elías Biscet and other activists and journalists, according to independent media reports.
Friday’s actions once again put pressure on members of the independent press and Cuban civil society for their intention to participate in a U.S. diplomatic event. @ADNCuba
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