Photo taken from ADN Cuba.
On November 8, 2024, Yaquelín García Jaen, a 42-year-old Cuban political opponent and resident of Bayamo, Granma, was arrested She was arrested at her home following a search by State Security agents. According to her husband, Ariel Arzuaga Peña, this arrest was not based on clear evidence or due process, but rather on her political activism as a member of opposition movements.
During the search, authorities confiscated Yaquelín's personal belongings, including a coffee maker, an induction cooktop, cash, and her personal documents. She was initially charged with illegal food sales, but these charges were later changed to the alleged crime of inciting others to commit a crime. Yaquelín was first taken to the State Security Operations Unit in Granma and subsequently, on November 19, to the El Talage women's prison in Bayamo.
In this process, several irregularities have been pointed out, such as the absence of a search and arrest warrant, the lack of formal instruction of charges and the incommunicado detention of Yaquelín, who from the moment of her arrest began a hunger strike in protest against what she considers a fabricated accusation.
Yaquelín's arrest has deeply affected her family, particularly her 15-year-old daughter, who is going through a severe emotional crisis. Her husband, Ariel, has demanded the return of the items seized during the search and denounces the lack of response from the Provincial Prosecutor's Office, which claims it has up to 30 days to determine whether the items will be returned.
Furthermore, Ariel has indicated that Yaquelín has been pressured by the authorities to renounce her political activism as a condition for obtaining better conditions in her confinement.
This case demonstrates a series of violations of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba and in international human rights law:
Presumption of innocence: Yaquelín was arrested without clear evidence or a fair trial.
Right to defenseHe was not allowed immediate access to a lawyer.
Communication: She was held incommunicado and denied the opportunity to speak with her family in a timely manner.
Dignity and integrityProlonged incommunicado detention and psychological pressure constitute cruel and inhuman treatment.
Due process: Minimum legal procedures were not respected, such as the presentation of a valid arrest warrant or the filing of charges within the established timeframe.
The case of Yaquelín García Jaen is not an isolated incident; it is part of a pattern of repression against activists and political opponents in Cuba. Denouncing these situations is essential to exposing repressive tactics and demanding respect for human rights in the country.
As civil society, it is crucial to show solidarity with those facing these violations and to demand that authorities uphold their own laws and international commitments. Actions such as sharing this information, participating in awareness campaigns, and supporting victims' families can make a difference.